A lot of paint is wasted if this year’s chemical clean out in Campbelltown is any guide.
With 65,000 kilograms of chemicals collected in a record haul, the most common household items disposed were paints (30,000kg), oils (10,000kg), car batteries (8,000kg) and gas cylinders (7,000kg).
The clean out took place earlier this month and council says it attracted the biggest response on record.
There was a 34 per cent increase in the number of residents getting involved and disposing of unwanted household chemicals in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.
Hosted by Campbelltown City Council, in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, the July 11-12 clean out gave residents the opportunity to dispose of household chemical clutter safely and free of charge at a central collection point.
Many household products, including solvents and ammonia based cleaning products, pesticides and poisons, paints and pool chemicals are potentially harmful and shouldn’t be placed in regular garbage bins.
Other items such as gas bottles, fire extinguishers, car and household batteries and fluorescent tubes and globes, can be recycled if they undergo special treatment and processing.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Lake, congratulated residents on their ecofriendly attitude.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It’s wonderful to see people embracing this initiative, which is as much about creating safer homes as it is about protecting the environment. [/social_quote]
“Our health and well-being as a community is directly affected by the quality of the environment we live in.
“That’s why it’s important to dispose of chemical substances responsibly,” Cr Lake said.
For more information on reducing waste and recycling, phone council on 4645 4000 or visit the website here.
