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Q. Can anyone dispose of their household chemicals at the household chemical collection days?
A. Only residents of Tweed Shire, Byron Shire and Richmond Valley Councils can take their household chemicals to the household chemical collection days.
Q. Can I dispose of chemicals during the rest of the year?
A. Yes. The North East waste Forum and North Coast Councils operate Regional Hazardous Waste Stores in Lismore and Grafton. You can deliver unwanted chemical to these Stores throughout the year.
Q. When are the collection days held?
A. Check local papers, your Council website or call your Council waste management section for dates of the Household Chemical Collection.
Q. What are the opening hours?
A. The collection days will be open at different times depending what Council are you live in. Check local papers, your Council website or call your Council waste management section.
Q. Do I have to make a booking to bring my chemicals in?
A. No. Just bring your household chemicals to the collection site during opening hours.
Q. I can’t bring my chemicals to the household chemical collection day, can someone pick them up for me?
A. Unfortunately we are not able to pick up your chemicals. If you can’t bring them in yourself you may need to contact a commercial contractor.
Q. I have some old drums in the shed, but I'm not sure if they are strong enough to be transported - they might fall apart if I try to lift them. What should I do?
A. It's important to make sure that containers holding all chemicals are secure enough to be transported. Liquid can leak during transport. Wrap containers holding liquids securely in newspaper and place them into sturdy plastic bags, then pack in plastic buckets or trays. Keep household chemicals away from passengers – in the boot or trailer. Always wear protective clothing when handling chemicals and remember, it is your responsibility to transport them safely.
Q. I've got stuff in containers that aren't labelled and I don't know what's in them - will you take them if I bring them in?
A. Yes, but please remember to handle all chemicals with care – take the precautions outlined in above. Please bring anything with you that might help us to identify the chemical - for example, remnants of old labels, sales brochures on the chemicals, and so on.
Q. What materials will you accept?
A. We will accept the following materials: paint and paint related products, pesticides, herbicides, poisons, solvents, household cleaners, pool chemicals, acids, alkalis, hobby chemicals.
Q. What materials won’t you accept?
A. We won’t accept the following materials: asbestos, empty containers, explosives, flares, general garbage, green waste or recyclables, night soil (sewage tank sludge and residues), quarantine waste, tyres, chemical gas cylinders which are not identified or labelled, evacuated electrical equipment (such as TV tubes), infectious and medical waste, concrete and masonry (unless chemically contaminated and only in small amounts), steel and car parts, medicines, mobile phones and batteries.
Q. Is there any limit on the amount I can bring in?
A. The household chemical collection days are for residents of Tweed Shire, Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley Council, Richmond Valley Council and Kyogle Council only. Only household quantities are accepted. Each resident is limited to 20litres or 20Kg of material.
Q. Will I have to pay anything to bring my chemicals in?
A. No. This service is free of charge to residents of Tweed Shire, Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley Council, Richmond Valley Council and Kyogle Council.
Q. What information will I have to supply when I bring my chemicals in?
A. We will ask for general information, such as your postcode and Council area, and where you heard about the collection day. If you bring any unknown chemicals, we will ask you for any information that might help us identify the material - for example, what you think it might have been used for.
Q. What is going to happen with all the chemicals that will be collected?
A. The chemicals will be immediately segregated at the collection point into secure transport containers according to type. They will then be taken to a central interim storage / processing facility, where they will be further sorted and aggregated. They will then be sent to appropriate licensed treatment facilities, where they will be safely treated. Unknown materials will be sampled and analysed to determine the most appropriate disposal method for them and then safely treated.
Q. Will all chemicals be destroyed, or will some be stored?
A. We expect that the majority of chemicals will be safely prepared for reuse ore recycled (where possible), destroyed or disposed of within a relatively short time. There may be minor quantities of unusual chemicals for which there is currently no disposal method commercially available in Australia. These chemicals will be safely stored until a suitable disposal method becomes available.
Q. Can I combine the contents of several small containers into one large container?
A. Never mix chemicals as this may produce dangerous reactions. Try to keep all chemicals in their original containers. Ensure containers are clearly labeled and well sealed. If you don’t know what’s in the container, label it “unknown container”.
Q. I have some unwanted household medicines. Can I bring them in?
A. No. You can return your old and unwanted medicines to any pharmacy for free and safe disposal. For more information ask your pharmacist, call 1300 650 835 or visit www.returnmed.com.au.
Q. What about old mobile phones?
A. Your old mobile phones and their batteries can be recycled. For details of an outlet near you call 1300 730 070 or visit www.phonerecycling.com.au or to assist a charity and recycled your mobile phone visit www.arp.net.au.
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