Hazardous Waste Amnesty

It’s time to clean out the cupboards, sheds and garages as the Queenstown Lakes District’s annual hazardous waste amnesty take place this Labour weekend 19 -22 October, 2012.

This is the third year an amnesty for hazardous waste has been held and Queenstown Lakes District Council solid waste manager Stefan Borowy says the event has proved to be beneficial for the community.

“There are many everyday materials that should not be disposed of in landfill as they pose a risk to people and the environment, “Mr Borowy said. “The amnesty gives everyone who may have these types of products lying around the opportunity to get rid of them safely.”

Hazardous waste includes materials such as glues, paints, cleaners, chemicals, old and new fertilisers, fats and oils, fluorescent light bulbs, circuit boards, aerosols and lighters. Around 1,192kg of hazardous waste which would normally have ended up in the landfill or even dumped illegally was handed in during last year’s amnesty.

The amnesty will take place on the following days:

Frankton Transfer Station - 10am to 4pm on Friday 19 October and 10am to 4pm on Saturday 20 October
Wanaka Transfer Station – 11.30am to 3.30pm on Sunday 21 October and 11.30am to 3.30pm on Monday 22 October

Residents with household hazardous waste may bring along items and dispose of them free of charge but there will be a charge for amounts in excess of 50 kilos.

The material will be collected by Transpacific Industrial Solutions who will ensure that all materials are processed and disposed of safely, without damaging the environment.

A hazardous waste amnesty fact sheet is available online at www.qldc.govt.nz/hazardous_waste