Hazmobile helps out householders with hazardous waste

It is time again to clear out your garden sheds and garage and get rid of your hazardous waste. That’s right, it’s Hazmobile time!

A recent incident highlighted the importance of getting rid of hazardous waste correctly.

In May, an Auckland City rubbish collection vehicle caught fire. Warwick Jaine, resource recovery manager, says a smouldering cigarette or ashes mixing with oil probably caused the fire.

Mr Jaine says the contractor driving the truck was well trained and extinguished the fire.

“No one was hurt but the result could have been worse. It illustrates the risk of disposing of hazardous waste in the wrong way,” he says.

“Oil and pool chemicals are our two biggest problems. Fires can easily start when these mix together or come into contact with cigarette butts or hot ashes.

“Obviously at this time of the year, hot ashes from household fires are a problem. People tend to think the ashes are cold when in fact they are still warm and can actually stay that way for days. The best way to get rid of ash is to use it on the compost or garden.”

The Hazmobile collects most household hazardous waste including: paints, solvents and paint strippers wood preservatives glues and resins all types of garden chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers petrol, oil and diesel car care products all types of cleaners, including toilet and drain cleaners, oven cleaners, bleaches and disinfectants pool chemicals furniture and shoe polish all types of batteries, from car and boat batteries to household and rechargeable batteries gas cylinders.

Mr Jaine says the service is increasingly popular.

“In the 2002 to 2003 year, over 3,000 people used the Hazmobile service. These people dropped off 81 tonnes kilos of hazardous waste.

“The total tonnage of waste being collected has increased considerably since the Hazmobile service began in 2000. In the 2000 to 2001 year, the Hazmobile collected 49 tonnes of waste. It just shows what a valuable service it is in the Auckland region,” he says.

The free Hazmobile service will be collecting household hazardous waste at the old Zoo carpark in Motions Road, Western Springs, from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 24 July.

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