Fill your boot and let HazMobile do the rest

5 March 2009

The safe collection of hazardous waste is well underway as the HazMobile service makes its annual rounds of the Auckland region.

The next HazMobile collections are at Glen Innes on 7 March, Takapuna on 21 March and Western Springs on 4 April.  The collections run between 10am and 2pm. 

The service continues in 11 other locations around Auckland for the rest of the year.

HazMobile coordinator Sandi Murray says it’s a great opportunity for people to clear their garages and garden sheds of harmful and unwanted household chemicals.

"The HazMobile operates like a drive-through - people pop their boots and we cart their household waste away."

Last year more than 8,000 people disposed of 200,000kgs of hazardous waste at HazMobile collections.

All waste is disposed of safely and appropriately so that hazardous materials do not end up in landfills and contaminate our environment.

Safe disposal of hazardous waste is very important as when chemicals in household products age, they become more toxic and can burst into flames or explode. 

What you can drop off to the HazMobile

Hazardous household waste collected by the service includes:

waste oil
batteries, including car batteries
aerosol cans
fluorescent tubes and bulbs.
The HazMobile no longer collects paint except for lead-based paint. Oil or water based paint can now be taken to any Resene shop, which will either be donated to community groups or disposed of safely in a landfill.

Every year the HazMobile crew comes across some interesting finds and is faced with some trying situations.

“We have collected everything from mercury arc rectifiers to explosives. Another time there was almost an explosion in a car boot after hazardous materials, which were not properly packaged, mixed together.”

Ms Murray says it is important for people’s own safety that they place hazardous materials in sealed containers that don’t leak.

To find out when the HazMobile will next be in your neighbourhood, visit www.hazmobile.govt.nz..

ENDS

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