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Article:

Chemicals

Store your chemicals safely

Start by checking whether there are any chemicals in and around the home that may be a risk to your safety or the environment.

Never store chemicals near sources of heat, sparks or flames. Leaving the aerosol deodorant or hair spray on the bathroom windowsill in the sun could create an explosion hazard.

NSW Fire Brigades recommends this simple safety checklist.

Disposing of unwanted chemicals

Before you dispose of your unwanted chemicals see if someone else could use them, for example, unwanted paint.

Think about where your chemicals could end up and the impact this will have on the environment.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW is working with your local council to provide drop-off centres for old or leftover chemicals around the home.

The Household Chemical Collection program accepts the following materials:

• Paint and paint related products – (thinners, strippers, varnish etc)
• Pesticides & herbicides (fungicides, baits, poisons, wood preservatives)
• Solvents and household cleaners
• Motor oils & fuels
• Batteries
• Gas bottles
• Fire extinguishers
• Pool chemicals
• Acids & alkalis
• Hobby chemicals (photography chemicals etc.)
• Florescent bulbs

Note that only household quantities are accepted.

Weekend drop-off centres have been organised throughout the Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions. Find out if there is a Household Chemical Collection near you or call the Clean Out info hotline on 131 555.

Return your old and unwanted medicines to any pharmacy for free and safe disposal or call 1300 650 835.

Your old mobile phones and their batteries can be recycled. MobileMuster is the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry. Find out where the nearest mobile phone recycling centre is or call 1300 730 070.

For the disposal of empty farm chemical containers contact drumMUSTER on 02 6230 6712.

Fire alarms contain small amounts of radioactive materials. Wrap fire alarms in plastic and dispose of in the garbage bin.