Chemical cleanout coming to Colac

RESIDENTS in the Golden Plains Shire are being invited dispose of household chemicals at a Detox Your Home event in Colac.

The free event, run by Sustainability Victoria, is an opportunity to get rid of toxic chemicals which should not be put in rubbish bins or poured down the drain.

The event is licensed to receive toxic chemicals and trained specialist chemists will be on site to help with handling.

David Speller, who works in community programs at Sustainability Victoria, said the event is an opportunity for the community to have a clear out.

“People are able to drop off household chemicals which they cannot safely dispose of any other way because once they end up in landfill they can cause issues,” he said.

“It’s really any chemicals sitting around the home like cleaning chemicals, batteries, petrol. It takes away that risk of people not knowing what to do with things.”

Mr Speller if those substances end up in rubbish bins or dumped illegally, they can cause havoc in the environment.

“Things like pesticides, if they go into the bin they go into landfill, and they’re exposed to rain and can wash out into waterways,” he said.

“Once they’re in nature they won’t just kill mice they’ll kill other things.”

In bushfire prone areas chemicals can also prove a fire hazard.

“If petrol or turpentine goes into the bin it ends up in the truck where it can be crushed goes into waste as a flammable liquid that increases the risk of fire,” said Mr Speller.

“I’d suggest to people to have a look around their cupboards and their sheds because often when was ask people how long they’ve had something for they say, ‘oh we’ve had this for 40 years’ so it’s a good time to have a look around.”

The event will be held at the Colac Regional Saleyards on Saturday 15 July from 2pm until 4pm.

Attendees can register interest at the Sustainability Victoria website.