Sydneysiders can take a load off by dropping off unwanted hazardous and toxic chemicals at the City of Sydney’s free Chemical CleanOut tomorrow, Sunday 7 February.
The free and easy collection is a great opportunity for locals to clear out sheds and garages and remove toxic chemicals from the home that may cause health and safety risks or damage to the environment.
Hazardous materials including paints and pesticides can be safely disposed of at the City’s depot, corner Bay Street and Macarthur St, Ultimo tomorrow (Sunday 7 February) from 9am–3.30pm.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it’s important to remove these types of unwanted items from the home – particularly liquids – reducing the risk of accidental poisoning to family members.
“Removing toxic chemicals from the home helps reduce harm to family members and the environment,” the Lord Mayor said.
“People need to be mindful that paints, cleaning fluids and pesticides poured down the drain or into the gutter wind up in Sydney Harbour, causing significant damage to our precious marine life. Every effort is made to re-use and recycle chemicals dropped off at the City’s free event.”
The majority of materials received in the annual chemical drop off day are reused or recycled. Paints can be re-used as alternative fuel in cement kilns and oils can be recycled into base oils. Lead and acid in batteries can also be extracted and recycled, along with mercury, glass and metals from fluorescent lights.
At the City’s last chemical clean out collection in July 2015, 703 drop-offs were made, with nearly 26 tonnes of chemicals collected for recycling and safe disposal.
Items that can be dropped-off include solvents, household cleaners, paints, motor fuels, acid, household batteries, gas bottles and smoke alarms.
Things that cannot be accepted include quantities over 20 kilograms or 20 litres, as well as computers, mobile phones, cameras and other electronic goods.
Unwanted chemicals delivered to the depot will be unloaded by trained staff and disposed of in an environmentally safe way. For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/live/waste-and-recycling/e-waste-and-chemicals/chemical-drop-off-day
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Claire Thompson, phone 02 9265 9582 or email cthompson1@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay on 9265 9612 or email pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au