What’s in your shed? Register for ChemClear 2016 Collection

Keeping old or unwanted agricultural and veterinary chemicals stored in your shed presents an unnecessary risk to staff, family, livestock, pets and the environment.

Don’t leave them lingering for the next person, manager or generation to deal with, book them in now for ChemClear’s 2016 collection.

“The ChemClear team will be on the road from mid-October and will spend about four weeks safely collecting and disposing of ag/vet chemicals from registered participants across NSW. The ChemClear team collaborates with local councils to arrange a collection site for registrants to drop off their chemicals to their specialised team,” says Christine Pitman, Council’s Strategic Waste Management Officer.

This year’s run will be NSW’s 6th state collection since the program’s inception in 2003. Over 136 tonne of chemical has been collected from NSW for safe disposal and a total of 527 tonne nationally through the stewardship program.

Over 100 chemical users across NSW such as farmers, golf courses, schools, bowling greens, chemical distributors, turf and pest management organisations have registered early.

To be included in the October collection waste holders must take an inventory and register with the program by close of business Friday 2 September.

The chemicals collected are classified as either Group 1 or Group 2:

• Group 1 are collected free of charge as a levy has been paid on these products at the point of sale and are denoted with a ChemClear and drumMUSTER logo
• Group 2 chemicals that are unlabelled, out of date, deregistered, mixed chemicals or from non-participating manufacturers will attract a fee per litre

People bringing chemicals to the collection site must ensure they transport them safely.

“We use the mantra ‘Ute it don’t boot it’: always transport chemicals in the back of a ute or truck, not in the boot of a car or in the back of a station wagon,” says Lisa Nixon, ChemClear’s National Program Manager.

“Ninety eight per cent of the chemical collected is used as alternative fuel sources in the manufacturing of cement. Most of the material is destroyed in kilns which reach temperatures in excess of 1800°C,” Ms Nixon added.

To register unwanted chemicals call the hotline 1800 008 182 or visit www.chemclear.com.au