Detox Your Home: Chemical Disposal

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Frequently Asked Questions

Warrnambool City Council residents are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to rid their homes of unwanted household chemicals for free. This annual event is held in conjunction with Clean Up Australia Day (in early March).

Organised by the Warrnambool City Council and Moyne Shire Council in partnership with Sustainability Victoria, the Detox Your Home program helps residents dispose of their old and unwanted chemicals in an environmentally responsible way.

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

• Household chemicals such as aerosol cans, insect sprays, pest poisons, household cleaners, pharmaceuticals and mothballs.
• 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).
• 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 include:

• chemicals used by businesses commercial and industrial purposes.
• containers over 20 litres or 20 kilograms or empty chemical containers.
• waste asbestos, ammunition and flares.

The following safety measures should be taken when transporting chemicals to the collection:

• Ensure lids are tightly fitted.
• Avoid smoking while you have chemicals in the car.
• 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.

Detox Your Home collections are held all year throughout Victoria.

For a list of drop-off locations and times, contact Council’s Waste Management department on 5559 4800 or visit www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

The service is free and residents from all municipalities can use any of the collections.