Kingston residents urged to ‘Detox your Home’ from toxic chemicals

Kingston residents urged to ‘Detox your Home’ from toxic chemicals

20 February 2019

Kingston residents are being urged to ‘Detox your Home’ – a safe, free and easy-to-use service to dispose of common, highly toxic household chemicals without harming your health or the environment.

The household chemical collection program is coming to Braeside on Saturday 16 March from 9am to 3pm and Kingston Council, in partnership with Sustainability Victoria, is encouraging residents to take the opportunity to get rid of unwanted – and potentially dangerous – items like pesticides, detergents and weed killers.

“Household chemicals can be dangerous,” Kingston Mayor, Georgina Oxley, said. “They can harm your family and your pets, add extra fuel to a house fire, release toxic fumes and pollute the environment for future generations, which is why residents should take advantage of the free Detox your Home service to safely dispose of unwanted items.”

Cr Oxley warned residents against putting chemicals out with the regular rubbish collection where they could explode, ignite, leak or mix with other chemicals. She also cautioned against pouring them down the drain where they could pollute waterways, harming animals and vegetation, contaminating thedrinking water supply and making rivers and beaches unsafe for swimming.

“The good news is you can reduce the risk of poisoning, environmental pollution and bushfire hazards, as well as improve recycling rates, by dropping off unwanted, highly toxic household chemicals at the Braeside Detox your Home event,” said Cr Oxley.

The site address will be provided upon registration. Residents can choose their preferred time slot by registering online at sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome

Registration is required for some metropolitan areas to manage the traffic flow and avoid queues on the day, which means residents can get in and out quickly.

Detox your Home is administered by Sustainability Victoria in partnership with local governments and is funded by the Victorian landfill levy. The products collected are recovered and diverted from landfill.

Residents can drop off the following items: 

Acids & alkalis Aerosols (dispose of empty cans in your household recycling bin) Anti-freeze Brake fluid Car body filler Car wax Cleaners - ammonia based Cooking oil Coolant Detergents, disinfectants & drain cleaners Fertiliser Fire extinguishers Floor-care products & waxes Fuels - petrol, diesel, kerosene, other Glues - water-based & solvents Herbicides & weed killers Insect spray/pesticides Nail polish & remover Oven cleaner Thinner, turps and paint stripper Pool chemicals Rat poison Solvents Transmission fluid Wood preservatives & finishes (oils & varnish)

The following items are not accepted:

Paint Car batteries Household batteries Compact florescent lamps (CFLs) and tubes Ammunition or firearms Asbestos Chemicals used by businesses Farm chemicals Gas bottles Motor oil

For more information visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome or phone 1300 363 744. 

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