Chemical Collections
Free Household Chemical Collection
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 collections located throughout Victoria.
There is one collection event remaining in the Greater Eastern Region of Melbourne in 2008:
Saturday 8 November 2008 - Knox City Council Depot in Lewis Road (off Bridgewood Court), Wantirna South between 8am - 4pm
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, fuels (such as petrol, diesel, kerosene) and oils (including motor and sump 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
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
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
In addition to the collection events listed above, there are 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
