Dispose of household chemicals for free

Published on 16 March 2022

Horsham people can take advantage of the free ‘Detox Your Home’ event on Saturday March 19 and safely dispose of common household chemicals without harming your health or the environment – for free.

The household chemical collection program is coming to the Kenny Road Transfer Station from 8am to 10am.

REGISTER FOR DETOX YOUR HOME 

Horsham Rural City Council, in partnership with Sustainability Victoria, invites residents to take the opportunity to remove unwanted – and potentially dangerous and toxic household chemicals – items like pesticides, detergents, fuels and weed killers.

“Toxic chemicals can harm your family and your pets, add extra fuel to a house fire, release toxic fumes and pollute the environment for future generations. Taking advantage of the free Detox Your Home service is the best way to safely dispose of these unwanted items,” Mayor Robyn Gulline said.

Residents are advised not to put chemicals out with the regular rubbish collection where they could explode, ignite, leak or mix with other chemicals.

It is not recommended to pour them down the drain where they can 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 on the morning of Saturday March 19,” Cr Gulline said.

Residents can drop off the following items: acids and alkalis, aerosols, anti-freeze, brake fluid, car body filler, car wax, cleaners - ammonia based, cooking oil, coolant, detergents, disinfectants, drain cleaners, fertilizer, fire extinguishers, floor-care products and waxes, fuels - petrol, diesel, kerosene, water-based and solvent glues, herbicides, weed killers, insect spray/pesticides, nail polish and remover, oven cleaner, paint stripper, thinner and turps, pool chemicals, rat poison, solvents, transmission fluid, wood preservatives and finishes.

The following items are not accepted: asbestos, ammunition or firearms, car batteries, household batteries, chemicals used by businesses, farm chemicals, fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps, gas bottles, motor oil, and paint.

Council can also recycle your old or leftover paint, CFL’s and fluoro tubes, batteries, motor oil, paper and cardboard and polystyrene packaging, these items can be dropped off year round (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) at the Kenny Road Transfer Station.

For more information go to sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome or call 1300 363 744.