Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Tuesday, 25 October, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Greater residents urged to ‘Detox your Home’ from highly toxic household chemicals

The household chemical collection program is coming to the Shepparton Resource Recovery Precinct on Saturday12 November from 10am to 1pm and Greater Shepparton City Council in partnership with Sustainability Victoria, is encouraging residents to take the opportunity to get rid of unwanted – and potentially dangerous – items like pesticides, detergents and weed killers.

Council’s Director Infrastructure Steve Bowmaker said encouraged people to dispose of household chemicals in a safe manner.

“They 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 unwanted items,” Mr Bowmaker said.

Mr Bowmaker warned residents against putting chemicals out with the regular rubbish collection where they could explode, ignite, leak or mix with other chemicals. He also cautioned against pouring them down the drain where they could 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 our Detox your Home mobile collection,” Mr Bowmaker said.

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

The Detox your Home mobile collection will be held at the Shepparton Resource Recovery Precinct, 125 Wanganui Road, Shepparton

For more information:

Online at sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome

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.

Residents can drop off the following items:

Acids & alkalis 
Aerosols

Anti-freeze  
Brake fluid 
Car body filler 
Car wax 
Cleaners - ammonia based 
Cooking oil 
Coolant 
Detergents, disinfectants & drain cleaners 
Fertiliser  
Fire extinguishers 
Floor-care products & waxes 
Fuels - petrol, diesel, kerosene, other 
Glues - water-based & solvents 
Herbicides & weed killers 
Insect spray/pesticides  
Nail polish & remover  
Oven cleaner 
Paint stripper, thinner & turps  
Pool chemicals  
Rat poison  
Solvents  
Transmission fluid  
Wood preservatives & finishes (oils & varnish)

The following items are not accepted

Ammunition or firearms
Asbestos
Car batteries
Household batteries
Chemicals used by businesses
Farm chemicals
Fluorescent lights
Gas bottles
Motor oil
Paint

Less toxic items – paint, household batteries and compact fluorescent lamps – can be disposed of throughout the year at a permanent drop-off site. There is a permanent drop-off site at the Shepparton Resource Recovery Precinct.

For more information visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome, call 1300 363 744.