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Residents turn up in force to get rid of nastiesLatrobe residents have diverted 15 tonnes of potentially harmful chemicals from landfill through the Detox Your Home Chemical Collection conducted by Sustainability Victoria and Latrobe City Council on Saturday 20 May. By Latrobe City Council - 31st May 2006 - Back to News Figures released this week show there was a 23% increase in local residents attending the collection, bringing in a vast array of materials for safe disposal, with the average weight per respondent increasing from 42.7 kg in 2004 to 63.8 kg this year.
The 15 tonnes of toxic and hazardous material handed in included 7.8 tonnes of paint, 2,256 litres of oil, 870 kg of compressed gases, 330 kg of pesticides and 786 kg of hydrocarbons as well as substantial quantities of batteries, acids, inert liquid and solids, oxidisers and pharmaceuticals.
The collection resulted in a massive 85% increase in the weight of material handed in, over the last collection held in 2004.
Latrobe City also specifically targeted former gun owners, encouraging them to use the collection to dispose of bullets and shotgun cartridges they might still have in their possession. On collection day 18.5 kg of safety ammunition was handed in.
Latrobe City mayor, Cr Lisa Price congratulated the community on taking advantage of the collection. "That’s an awful lot of nasties from our community that are no longer lurking in garages or garden sheds, in cupboards or under the sink; where children may play with them, or that could end up being disposed of unsuitably," Cr Price said.
Sustainability Victoria’s chief executive, Geoff Mabbett said that Latrobe community's response to the collection day was excellent. "The service provided on the day has ensured that dangerous materials being stored in local homes have been sorted, treated, recycled or disposed of appropriately," Mr Mabbett said.
Mr Mabbett said residents did themselves, their council and the environment a great service by participating in the chemical collection days. "The safe disposal of these products protects our homes and prevents the chemicals from being dumped into our environment.
"Careless disposal of unwanted chemicals can cause pollution of waterways, land and stormwater drains. Relatively small amounts of some chemicals can also be harmful to humans and animals, and certain chemicals may pose a potential fire hazard," he said.
Latrobe City’s waste education officer, Peter Collins, explained that after the Morwell collection, the materials were immediately sorted according to their chemical properties.
"Chemicals were treated differently according to their type. For example, some of the collected chemicals will be used for energy recovery, waste solvents can be burnt in industrial burners, other chemicals can be recycled and used for other applications such as motor oil which can be reformulated for lower grade uses. Where paint tins were collected, the metal will be recycled, while the paint is separated so that solvents can be reused," he said.
Cr Price said council has received some very positive feedback from the community about how efficiently the event was conducted, despite the significant increase in numbers.
"Post-collection communications with Sustainability Victoria’s contractor, Chemsal, indicate that given the excellent result, they may extend the collection to a full day next time," Cr Price added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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