Help keep waterways healthy

Residents can help keep Canterbury-Bankstown’s waterways clean, while reducing the amount of waste in their home with a Chemical Cleanout.

Tonnes of household chemicals are expected to be dropped off at Council’s car park in Shakespeare Street, Campsie, on Sunday 28 April, following a successful cleanout event in November last year in Bankstown. More than 800 residents attended that event, with 33,723 kilograms of waste collected in one day, including 17,736 kilograms of oil and water-based paint.

Mayor Khal Asfour said these collections are very popular.

"We are proud to offer residents a convenient and safe way to dispose of their chemicals for free, and we encourage everyone to make full use of this opportunity," he said.

"Now is your chance to get rid of any unwanted chemicals you have stored around the house and do your part to make sure these don’t find their way into our waterways."

Georges Riverkeeper River Health and Research Programs Coordinator, Dr David Reid, stressed the importance of correctly disposing of chemicals.

"What you tip down the sink can cause sewage blockages and sewage overspills into our waterways, and 100 per cent of what goes down gutters and other connected outdoor drains is washed into the river without any treatment," he said.

"Many plants and animals cannot survive in our urban waterways that receive lots of pollutants in stormwater. Plus, chemical pollution in the river not only means an unhealthy waterway but also less chances for people to enjoy and use the river through fishing, swimming and other recreational activities."

Residents can drop off up to 20 litres or 20 kilograms of the following household items:

The free event on 28 April will run from 9am-3pm and is delivered by Council in partnership with the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, with another scheduled for later in the year in Bankstown.

For more information, call 9707 9000, or visit cb.city/chemicalcleanout