MEDIA RELEASE

Time for a toxic clean up

For immediate release: Monday 12 February 2007

Thousands of Bay of Plenty households will soon have the chance to get rid of their old paints, poisons and pesticides - safely.

Environment Bay of Plenty and four district and city councils are bringing the HazMobile to four of the region’s centres in March.

The free household hazardous waste collection service will set up in Tauranga on Saturday 3 March, Te Puke on Saturday 10 March, Whakatane on Saturday 24 March, and Opotiki on Wednesday 28 March. .

The HazMobile has taken in several thousand loads of hazardous products during its annual visits, which started three years ago. Environment Bay of Plenty’s Paul Futter expects the collection points to be kept busy again this year.

“Many sheds and garages are full of quite hazardous junk,” he says. “Often, people don’t know what to do with it because they realise they can’t put it out with the normal rubbish. So they really appreciate having the opportunity to safely dispose of it.”

Mr Futter points out that hazardous waste stored in a house, shed or garage can be dangerous both to the environment and to people’s health.

“Sometimes materials can react with each other and cause a fire or create toxic fumes. A container may leak and contaminate the soil or groundwater, and ultimately streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean.”

The Hazmobile will accept hazardous materials like solvents and paint strippers, glues, all types of garden chemicals and cleaners, batteries and even old gas cylinders. However, it is not allowed to accept medical waste or explosives and cannot transport materials containing asbestos. It also does not take waste from commercial operators.

Mr Futter asks people bringing material to the HazMobile to make sure all containers are in good condition so they travel safely. “Please check for holes and leaky lids and transport them upright and secured so they cannot fall over. Leaking containers must be re-contained first in buckets with a lid or inside plastic or glass containers that can be sealed. Please label the container clearly.”

For more information, contact your district council or Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or go to www.envbop.govt.nz. Rotorua residents are asked to contact Rotorua District Council for hazardous waste disposal options.

Visits
Tauranga: Maleme Street Transfer Station, Greerton, 9am to 2pm, Saturday 3 March
(Please note: No general or green waste or recycling will be received on that day)
Te Puke: Commerce Lane car park, 10am to 2pm, Saturday 10 March
Whakatane: Bunnings Warehouse, the Hub, 10am to 2pm, Saturday 24 March
Opotiki: Opotiki Resource Recovery Centre, 10am to 2pm, Wednesday 28 March

ENDS

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