Detox your home session coming soon

Residents are being encouraged to take advantage of the free ‘Detox your home’ on Saturday, November 9.

The service is a safe, free and easy-to-use way to dispose of common, highly toxic household chemicals without harming your health or the environment.

The household chemical collection program is coming to East Gippsland Livestock Exchange, Bairnsdale, from 9am to 2pm. East Gippsland Shire Council, in partnership with Sustainability Victoria, is inviting residents to take the opportunity to get rid of unwanted – and potentially dangerous and toxic household chemicals – items like pesticides, detergents and weed killers.

Mayor, Cr Natalie O’Connell, said household chemicals can be potentially dangerous and can lead to a higher risk of poisoning.

“Toxic chemicals 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 these unwanted items,” Cr O’Connell said.

Residents are advised not to put chemicals out with the regular rubbish collection where they could explode, ignite, leak or mix with other chemicals. It is not recommended to pour them down the drain where they can pollute waterways, harming animals and vegetation, contaminating the drinking 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 chemicals at East Gippsland’s Detox your home event on November 9,” Cr O’Connell said.

“Do the right thing for your loved ones and your environment and detox your home. It’s easy and it’s free.”

Residents can drop off the following items: acids and alkalis, aerosols, anti-freeze, brake fluid, car body filler, car wax, cleaners - ammonia based, cooking oil, coolant, detergents, disinfectants, drain cleaners, fertilizer, fire extinguishers, floor-care products and waxes, fuels - petrol, diesel, kerosene, water-based and solvent glues, herbicides, weed killers, insect spray/pesticides, nail polish and remover, oven cleaner, paint stripper, thinner and turps, pool chemicals, rat poison, solvents, transmission fluid, wood preservatives and finishes.

The following items are not accepted: asbestos, ammunition or firearms, car batteries, household batteries, chemicals used by businesses, farm chemicals, fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps, gas bottles, motor oil, and paint. Depending on the type of waste, these items can be deposited at landfills and/or transfer stations, in some cases free of charge (e.g. car batteries). Check the council website for what types of waste is accepted at the various locations through the shire.

For more information go to sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome or call 1300 363 744.

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 recycled for recovery and diverted from landfill.

Household paint, batteries, and fluorescent lights, which are less toxic than household chemicals (but a more common waste item) can be disposed of throughout the year at permanent drop-off sites throughout the shire. Visit Detox Your Home for more information.