Rid your home of unwanted chemicals

Residents of Newcastle and the Hunter are invited to bring their old gas cylinders, paint cans, motor oil or batteries to a free chemical clean out day on Saturday 1 April.
 
Newcastle City Council and the Environment Protection Authority are holding a free Household Chemical CleanOut event at Tighes Hill TAFE student car park on Maitland Road, opposite Henry Street.
 
Households can drop off up to 20kg of unwanted chemicals for safe disposal, including garden and pool chemicals, acids and alkalis, fluorescent globes and tubes.
 
On the day, chemical-handling experts ensure no spillages occur and that everything is safely handled, stored and properly disposed of.
 
"The Household Chemical Cleanout day is a great chance for Newcastle and Hunter residents to clean out their cupboards, bathroom cabinets, garages and sheds and bring along any unwanted or unknown chemicals," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
 
"It's good to know that Hunter residents are doing the right thing and increasingly taking the chance to get rid of these potentially harmful substances responsibly and free of charge."
 
Pesticides, oil and propane gas cylinders were among 32 tonnes of unwanted hazardous materials collected at the last Household Chemical Clean Out in November.
 
Among the nasties spared from landfill and waterways in 835 individual drop-offs were 15 tonnes of paint products, plus aerosols and lead acid from batteries.
 
As the event continues to grow, 235 more people made drop offs and together left five tonnes more than the total discarded at the April 2016 event.
 
Since 2003, Newcastle Household Chemical Clean Outs have safely removed more than 410 tonnes of chemicals from Newcastle garages and homes.
 
This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less Recycle More Initiative funded from the waste levy.
 
Where
Tighes Hill TAFE student car park on Maitland Road
 
When
Saturday 1 April between 9am and 3.30pm
 
For more information on which materials will be accepted and how to safely transport your chemicals, call the Environment Line on 131 555 or visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au