Do you have potentially dangerous chemicals in your homes that you need to dispose of? The presence of harmful chemicals or substances can have severe repercussions to you and your family if you don’t attend to their disposal immediately. In addition, we tend to accumulate most of these hazardous chemicals over time and not attending to the problem at the earliest will be a bigger problem for you in the future.
Fortunately for you, the local councils of NSW have a program called Household Chemical Cleanout event. This event can be the solution for your problem and ensures a totally clean household. Haven’t heard of the Council Cleanup or Collection?
We got you covered.
This article will be your comprehensive guide to this program and hopefully provide complete information to all of your queries.
What is a Household Chemical CleanOut event?
Ordinarily, you can drop off hazardous materials and items found in your homes at designated Community Recycling Centres. If there is no Community Recycling centre in your vicinity, you can bring the items to a Chemical CleanOut event. These Household Chemical Cleanout events are free services held all across the NSW state.
One major reason why you should take note of Chemical CleanOut events is the fact that these services adhere to the protocols and regulations stated by the NSW Government. The process has been laid down to be as safe as possible.
An example of how safe the Chemical CleanOut process is when you reach the drop off area, you are advised to stay in your vehicle while the onsite contractors who are wearing full protective gear will be unloading the hazardous items and chemicals. They will also be following the social distancing protocols.
What can I take to a Household Chemical CleanOut event?
The Household CleanOut event is practised by all local councils in NSW. All items and chemicals from your home are allowed to be dropped off to the corresponding sites.
Take note, however, that there is a limit to the size of the items allowed. The maximum weight or volume per item is at 20 kilograms or 20 litres. If an individual item exceeds the limit, you are required to enlist the help of professional services.
The list below are the items you can take to a Household CleanOut event:
- Floorcare Products
- Hobby chemicals
- Garden chemicals
- Poisons
- Gas bottles
- Smoke detectors
- Household batteries
- Car batteries
- Alkalis
- Acids
- Cooking oil
- Fire extinguishers
- Fluorescent tubes or globes
- Paint or related products
- Ammonia-based cleaners
- Pool chemicals
- Household cleaners
- Household solvents
- Herbicides
- Pesticides
- Varnishes
- Thinners
- Motor fuel
- Motor oil
Who can use this cleanout service?
Every household in the state of New South Wales can use the CleanOut service. NSW Household Chemical CleanOut programs are regularly held in the regions of Sydney, Illawarra, and Hunter.
This program, however, is strictly for households only. Businesses and commercial quantities of chemicals are not accepted. There are commercial recycling centres that will take business and commercial-scale hazardous waste.
For more information about hazardous waste removal call your local rubbish removal company about the services and how they can help.
Tips to store and transport your unwanted chemicals
Dealing with hazardous materials is not an easy job to do. It is very important to remember to protect yourself while handling the items that you’ll be bringing to the Household Chemical CleanOut drop off centre.
Here are some expert tips that you have to follow:
- Always wear protective gear and clothing when handling the items.
- Do not mix chemicals together as they can be volatile and can produce toxic fumes.
- Keep the chemicals in their original containers.
- Firmly seal the containers and label them accordingly. If you are not sure what chemical it is, label them as unknown.
- Make a list of all the items and chemicals you’ll be bringing to the centre.
- See to it that there are no leaks or loose caps before transporting the items.
- Wrap each container with newspaper, tie them up with a rubber band, then deposit them in their own plastic bag.
- Bring the containers to your vehicle with care.
- In the boot of your vehicle, firmly place and secure buckets or trays to be used as storage for the containers.
- Place the items inside the buckets or trays while ensuring they are as far as possible from the passengers.
- Before leaving to the drop off centre, call the local council and inform them about the load you are about to bring.
- Certain items like asbestos will not be taken so make sure to practise due diligence when presenting the list over the phone.
Final Thoughts
You can do all the preparations for the Household CleanOut event yourself. Just make sure you take all the necessary precautions and follow the tips we listed above. Handling hazardous chemicals and items is a serious matter and you don’t want to mess it up.
Alternatively, if you need a faster chemical disposal solution, call Paul’s Rubbish Removal. We will come to your home and help you all throughout the process. Our team of removalists will ensure that the hazardous chemicals you have will be disposed of properly and safe to the truest sense.
