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Article:

Chemicals

Disposal of unwanted chemicals

The Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW has guidelines on the assessment, classification and management of hazardous industrial waste.

Before you dispose of unwanted chemicals see if another business could use them. Think about where your chemicals could end up and the impact this will have on the environment.

Contact your chemical supplier to arrange for empty containers to be returned.

Do not mix liquid wastes. Different liquids are treated differently in recycling and disposal, so mixing these together can complicate waste disposal and make disposal more expensive.

Chemical waste greater than 200 kg must be transported to a waste receiver or disposal facility by a licensed hazardous chemicals transporter. The storage and transport of dangerous goods is subject to a system of licences and standards. There are various classes of dangerous goods, each with its own required system of labelling, transport and storage.

Stormwater from your business travels via the gutters and drains to local creeks or canals and eventually ends up in our rivers, harbours and beaches. Stormwater should not contain any pollutants from your business activities.

Wash greasy hands over a sink that is connected to the sewer. Do not degrease hands where water can run into the gutter or stormwater drain.  Where there is no sewer, pour wastewater into a large drum and store until it can be disposed of properly by a licensed waste contractor.

Contact WSN Environmental Solutions for services and advice on chemical waste disposal, call 1300 651 116.  Your local council and industry association can also provide advice on best practice.