Detox your home and reduce fire risk this summer season

SUSTAINABILITY Victoria is encouraging Torquay residents to prepare for bushfire season by thinking about any flammable chemicals or other toxic materials in their shed or under the sink.

The environmental body will be hosting a free Detox your Home event this Saturday, October 28 at the Torquay Works Depot.

Residents will be briefed by expert chemists on how they can safely dispose of unwanted flammable chemicals such as turpentine, kerosene, mower fuel and other household cleaning and garden chemicals.

During fire season, storing flammable chemicals and other toxic material is dangerous and in the event of a fire, can add fuel and poses great risk to locals and their families.

Chemicals should not be placed in kerbside bins or tipped down drains, as they can pollute local waterways, harm animals and vegetation and contaminate local water supply.

Running for nearly 30 years, the Detox your Home program has seen the safe removal of 7,000 tonnes of toxic chemicals – equivalent to the weight of 40 trams – and more than 10,000 tonnes of hard to recycle materials from households around the state.

All chemicals brought in on the day will be identified and sorted for safe transport back to a licensed facility in Melbourne, where they are processed for reuse or safe disposal.

Dispose of your chemicals by registering your drop-off at eventbrite.com.au/

To find out more and view the full list of accepted items, head to sustainability.vic.gov.au/DetoxYourHome