Detox your home with upcoming free chemical collections

Maroondah residents are encouraged to ‘detox’ their home of hazardous household chemicals by taking advantage of two free upcoming household chemical collections in February and March.

The Detox Your Home events, offered in partnership with Sustainability Victoria, provides residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals.

The free household chemical collection service is coming to Wantirna South from 9am to 3pm, Saturday 22 February, and from 8am to 4pm at Doncaster East on Saturday 21 March.

Maroondah Mayor and Council’s representative on the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum, Cr Mike Symon, said leaving unwanted household chemicals around the home, garage or garden shed increased the risk of accidents.

“Your house and garage may be full of toxic products that you might not even consider to be dangerous. But those extra cans of paints, the kitchen cleaner, laundry detergent and bleach are all made with chemicals that can pose a risk.

“Inappropriately disposing of these types of chemicals yourself can also significantly harm the environment and pose a risk to public health,” Cr Symon said.

“Detox Your Home is a safe, free and easy-to-use service to dispose of highly toxic household chemicals. Best of all, the collected items are recycled rather than being sent to landfill,” he said

Anyone wanting to access the service will need to register their interest and can choose their preferred drop-off time slot.

The collection point address will be provided upon registration.

“Registration ensures traffic flow is better managed so that you can avoid queues on the day and get in and out quickly,” Cr Symon added.

The Detox Your Home collection service is administered by Sustainability Victoria in partnership with local councils and is funded by the Victorian landfill levy.

To register, visit Detox Your Home website or call 1300 363 744.

The following safety measures should be taken when transporting chemicals:

ensure lids are tightly fitted place liquids on a tray or in a bucket so any spills are contained pack powders and solids securely keep corrosive chemicals, such as battery acid, away from poisons keep oxidised agents, such as peroxides, away from all other materials travel with your car windows down if carrying flammable or odorous materials double-wrap liquid containers in plastics bags to prevent leaking.

For a full list of accepted products and further information, call Sustainability Victoria’s Info line on 1300 363 744, or visit the