Residents urged to ‘Detox your Home’ from household chemicals
Published on 24 October 2016
Residents are being urged to ‘Detox your Home’. A safe, free and easy-to-use service to dispose of common, highly toxic household chemicals without harming your health or the environment.
The free household chemical collection service is coming to the Mildura Landfill on Saturday 29 October from 10am to 1pm.
Mildura Rural 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.
“Household chemicals can be dangerous,” Manager Parks and Waste Services, Matt George said.
“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 George said.
Mr George 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 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 Council’s Mildura Landfill Detox your Home mobile collection,” Mr George said.
“Do the right thing for your loved ones and your environment and Detox your Home. It’s easy and it’s free,” Mr George said.
The Detox your Home mobile collection will be held at Mildura Landfill, Ontario Avenue, Mildura on Saturday 29 October from 10am to 1pm.
For more information go to www.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 (dispose of empty cans in your household recycling bin)
- 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 like paint, household batteries and compact fluorescent lamps and tubes can be disposed of throughout the year at the permanent drop-off site at the Mildura Landfill.
For more information visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome, call 1300 363 744 or contact Mildura Rural City Council on (03) 5018 8100.
Media enquiries
Rebecca Wells
p) (03) 5018 8195
e) rebecca.wells@mildura.vic.gov.au