Chemical Collection Day

Dispose of potentially dangerous, unwanted and household products such as unused paints, old batteries, finished gas cylinders, pesticides, photographic materials, household and garden products for FREE at the Chemical Collection Day. 

Householders can deposit their unwanted chemicals at:

Where:  Gillies Street Transfer Station, Gillies Street South, Alfredton (near the Ballarat RSPCA, Drury's map ref: 13 G7)
When:    Saturday, 24 November 2007 from 8.00am to 4.00pm

The FREE service helps householders to minimise the danger of accidental poisoning and reduces the risk to the environment. Leaving unwanted household chemicals and poisonous materials in the garage, garden shed, bathroom cabinet, kitchen cupboards or laundry increases the risk of accidents around the home.

Household chemicals and toxins should never be dumped or thrown away in the rubbish.

Participation by the community has been significant over the past two years.  In 2006, council received  21.20 tonnes with more than 400 residents participating in the program. Statewide, the program returned 672 tonnes of material and had 12,400 people participate.

The most commonly returned articles are:

• paint 32%
• oil 15%
• lead acid batteries 9%
• propane gas cylinders 19.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the household chemical collection service:

1. What does it cost? The service is FREE.
2. Do I have to live in the municipality? No. All collections are open to any Victorian resident.
3. How long will I have to wait? In 90% of cases, less than 10 minutes. But it could be longer depending on the time of day and the number of residents who turn up.
4. What do I do if I'm not sure what a chemical is? Label it as 'Unknown Chemical'. Do not guess the chemical's name.
5. Is there a limit to how much I can bring? No. However, the service is only for household chemicals. Chemicals used for farm, commercial or industrial processes will not be accepted. Furthermore, for occupational health and safety reasons, the maximum acceptable weight of any single container is 20kg.
6. How do I get the chemicals to the collection site? Using your car or trailer. If you don't have a car, perhaps friends, family or neighbours can help. There are a number of safety precautions you should observe when transporting chemicals to the collection site as follows:
7. • keep chemicals in their original containers
   • ensure lids are tightly fitted
   • place containers of liquids in a tray or plastic bucket so that they do not spill or fall
   • pack powders and solids securely
   • keep corrosive chemicals, such as battery acid, away from poisons
   • keep oxidising agents, such as peroxide, away from all other materials
   • protect taps on drums so that the tap does not break off
   • travel with your car windows down if carrying flammable or odorous materials
   • double-wrap old liquid containers in plastic bags to prevent leaking
8. What happens to the chemicals?
   They are immediately sorted, placed in sealed drums, and transported to a specialist waste treatment facility. Every effort is made to reuse chemicals or to recycle them for other purposes. As a last resort, a small amount of chemicals will be stored in secure landfills, in accordance with EPA Victoria requirements.

What chemicals can you deposit on the day?

Acetone
Acids and alkalis
Aerosol cans (full or empty)
Ammunition (safety)
Anti-freeze
Batteries automotive
Batteries household, mobile phone, rechargeable, mercury, NiCd
Battery acid
Brake fluid
Car body filler and repair products
Cleaners ammonia-based
Cleaners automotive including waxes
Cleaners bathroom
Cleaners household
Depilatories
Detergents
Disinfectants
Drain cleaner
Dry cleaning solvents
Fertiliser
Fibreglass resins (not mixed)
Fire extinguishers
Floor-care products and waxes
Fluorescent tubes
Fuels petrol, diesel, kerosene, other
Fungicide
Furniture polish
Gas cylinders
Glue water based and solvent based
Hair care products and hair spray
Insecticides
Lubricants automotive
Medicines
Metal polish
Mothballs
Oil automotive
Oil cooking
Oil cutting
Oven cleaners
Paint artists
Paint latex
Paint oil-based
Paint water-based
Paint stripper and thinner
Paintbrush cleaner
Petrol and other fuels
Pharmaceuticals
Photographic chemicals
Polish automotive
Polish nail polish and remover
Polish shoe
Pool chemicals
Rat poison
Rust remover
Smoke detectors
Solvents
Tile cleaners
Toiletries
Turps
Varnish
Weed killers and herbicides
Window cleaners
Wood preservatives and finishes

 

Links

External Web Links www.sustainability.vic.gov.au www.oilrecycling.gov.au www.returnmed.com.au www.chemclear.com.au