Chemical Collections

'Detox Your Home' program

Free household chemical collections

Operated by Sustainability Victoria with assistance from various local councils, the Detox Your Home program helps residents dispose of their old and unwanted chemicals in an environmentally responsible way. The service is free and residents from all municipalities can use any of the drop-off days located throughout Victoria.

The following is a list of metropolitan Detox Your Home chemical drop-off days still available in 2009:

Moreland City Council - Saturday 12 September, 8am - 4pm at the Council Depot, 40-46 South Street, Hadfield. Melways 17 D5
Boroondara City Council - Saturday 7 November, 8am - 4pm at the Council Depot, 648 Riversdale Road, Camberwell. Melways 60 B1.

Accepted items

Among the types of unwanted household chemicals accepted for disposal are:

Household chemicals such as aerosol cans, insect sprays, pest poisons, household cleaners, pharmaceuticals, mothballs and old smoke detectors
Garden chemicals such as fertilisers, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides
Automotive chemicals such as transmission fluids, batteries and battery acid, brake fluid, car wax solvent and fuels (such as petrol, diesel, kerosene) - *see note below regarding oils*
Workshop chemicals including paint strippers, solvent-based glues, water and oil-based paints, paint thinner, acetone, turpentine, varnish and wood preservative
Other miscellaneous chemicals accepted are acids and alkalis, artists' paints and supplies, photographic chemicals, fibreglass resins (not mixed), extinguishers, gas cylinders, swimming pool chemicals and mercury batteries

Not accepted

Items that cannot be accepted:

Chemicals not used for household purposes such as farm, industrial and commercial-use chemicals
Containers larger than 20 litres in size are not accepted
Ammunition and flares - take to local Police Station for advice regarding their safe disposal
Motor and other oils will only be accepted at certain sites - please contact Sustainability Victoria on 1800 353 233 for details.

Safety first

The following safety measures should be taken when transporting chemicals:

Ensure lids are tightly fitted
Place liquids on a tray or in a plastic bucket so any spills are contained
Pack powders and solids securely
Keep corrosive chemicals, such as battery acid, away from poisons
Keep oxidising agents, such as peroxide, away from all other materials
Travel with your car windows down if carrying flammable or odorous materials
Double-wrap old liquid containers in plastic bags to prevent leaking

Permanent free disposal sites

Apart from specific chemical collection event days, there are also two permanent free disposal sites in Melbourne for paints, motor oil, fluorescent tubes, gas bottles, car and household batteries only:

Banyule Waste Recovery Centre - Waterdale Road, Bellfield, Melways 31 F4
Darebin Resource Recovery Centre - Kurnai Avenue, Reservoir, Melways 18 C6

Further information

For further information visit the ResourceSmart website or contact Sustainability Victoria on 1800 353 233