MEDIA RELEASE

Central Coast Council is inviting residents to clear out unwanted hazardous chemicals from around the home and safely dispose of them for free at the local Chemical CleanOut events this March.

Community members can safely drop off unused, out-of-date or unwanted household chemicals for free over the first two weekends of March: 

• Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 March (9am-3.30pm), Kincumber – former Kincumber Waste Management Facility on Cullens Road. (Note: the facility remains closed, however it is open for the Chemical CleanOut event.) 
• Saturday 9 March and Sunday 10 March (9am-3.30pm), Bateau Bay - Council's Long Jetty Depot, corner The Entrance and Wyong Road, Bateau Bay.

Council Director Boris Bolgoff said these free events provide the perfect opportunity for the local community to make their home safer by clearing out unused chemicals, fuels and potential hazardous products and disposing of this waste correctly.

“Dumping chemicals, placing them in the bin or pouring them down the drain is not only an offence that attracts fines and penalties, but can also cause considerable harm to our local environment by contaminating our waterways and landfill sites,” Mr Bolgoff said.

“Residents can drop off items such as paint products, pesticides, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, fluorescent globes and tubes, with any unknown or unidentified chemicals also accepted for identification and correct disposal. 

“Only household quantities are accepted for disposal at the Chemical CleanOut events with a 20 litre or 20-kilogram maximum container size per item applying, except for paints. Residents can drop off up to 100L of paint, however they must be in containers of 20L or less. 

“We strongly advise residents to take adequate safety precautions when storing and transporting chemical waste and if possible, keep all chemicals in their original containers. This includes never mixing chemicals as dangerous reactions can occur.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Chemical CleanOut events are just one of the many waste and recycling services that are offered to the community in support of a cleaner Coast.

“It’s clear from the ongoing popularity of these events each year, that local residents want to do the right thing and dispose of waste correctly in an effort to protect the Coast’s precious environment and waterways,” Mr Hart said.

“I encourage even more residents to set the date in their diary to clear out their homes, garages and sheds and take advantage of this free service to get rid of unwanted chemical waste responsibly this March.” 

The Household Chemical CleanOut program is a NSW Government Waste Less Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy, brought to you by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Paintback and Central Coast Council.

For the full list of chemicals that can be dropped off at the Chemical CleanOut events and information on storing and transporting unwanted chemicals safely, go to the NSW Household Chemical CleanOut webpage.  

ENDS