Central Coast Council is once again encouraging residents to clear any unwanted hazardous chemicals in homes, garages and sheds to be correctly disposed of at the next bi-annual Chemical CleanOut events.

Hosted in conjunction with NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the upcoming events will be held 9am-3.30pm at Council’s Charmhaven Depot (corner Chelmsford and Depot Roads) on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, and Mount Penang Event Park, Kariong (off Kangoo Road) on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August.

Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said it was fantastic to be able to host the southern event at Mount Penang Event Park, Kariong for the second time.

“Our last two consecutive CleanOut events have broken records for the amount of chemicals dropped off, so it is great we have been able to secure this larger location,” Mr Bolgoff said.

“This consistent response to Chemical CleanOut events shows our residents are truly committed to disposing of waste responsibly.

“I would urge everyone to use this opportunity to have a good search around their property to ensure safe disposal of any potentially hazardous chemicals, including any unknown or unidentified items as they will be accepted for identification and correct disposal.”

Items accepted as part of the Chemical CleanOut include paints, car and household batteries, smoke detectors, pesticides, gas bottles, fire extinguishers as well as fluorescent globes and tubes.

Only household quantities are accepted. A 20 litre or 20 kilogram maximum container size per item applies. Council urges residents to transport material safely, in its original container, and to remain in the vehicle at the collection site.

Mayor Jane Smith reminded residents that Chemical CleanOut events were simply one resources recovery initiative with Council offering a number of other free collection solutions for problem wastes to be recycled.

“The results of our waste audit last year found that one of the most common hazardous material incorrectly disposed of through household bins was batteries,” Mayor Smith said.

“Batteries contain non-renewable metals such as lead, cadmium, lithium, nickel, mercury and zinc – when these items are correctly recycled, their materials can be made into new products, which in turn helps our environment by saving water, energy and natural resources.

“Household batteries along with light globes, can be dropped off at the Chemical CleanOut events, though Council has also provided convenient drop off locations at both the Gosford and Wyong administration buildings and all library branches, where these problem wastes as well as mobile phones can be correctly disposed of year round.”

Chemical CleanOut events are a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.

Visit cleanout.com.au or call 131 555 for a full list of chemicals that can be dropped off.

ENDS