Many of the household cleaners, detergents and pesticides used in and around your home may be classified as hazardous substances. That means they are potentially dangerous to you, your family and the environment.
Hazardous substances you may find around your house could include things like:
Where possible, try to use less-hazardous cleaning products which reduce harm to the environment.
Chemicals must be carefully stored and used to avoid harm.
Please note that all chemicals, however environmentally-friendly, can kill life in waterways. Do not allow them to enter any outside drains or parts of the stormwater system, which drains water straight to streams.
Most people use various chemicals and substances in and around their households.
Common examples are old garden sprays, household cleaners, paint, glues, batteries and chemicals used in hobbies (e.g. pottery, lead-lighting). Putting out hazardous chemicals with general household rubbish can do a lot of damage. If the packaging is old and deteriorating the contents can present a hazard to kerbside waste collection staff.
Once placed in a landfill, the wastes can leach through soils, contaminating groundwater and even affect the food chain.
For the safe disposal of household hazardous wastes, Tasman District Council provides a drop-off service in conjunction with Nelson City Council.
Tasman District Council remains legally responsible for the waste it accepts and it is therefore necessary to get authorisation for disposal prior to using the service to ensure everything is done safely.
There is a nominal fee to be paid at the Nelson City Council Transfer Station for use of the service.
It is your responsibility to obtain the required documentation and transport the household hazardous wastes to the Nelson City Council Refuse Transfer Station in Vivian Place (off Pascoe Street) Tahunanui for disposal.
Download and complete the form below to request approval to use the service for your waste. Details of where to send it are on the form.
Make sure the household hazardous wastes are safely wrapped and contained, preferably in their original containers and include all labelling and other information. The packaged wastes should not be able to leak or mix with other packaged waste. Do not combine different hazardous wastes into the same container.
Essentially all household chemicals are accepted.
If you have an unknown substance and are not sure what it is, please provide any information you can, such as quantity, age, type of packaging, what it was used for (e.g. controlling insect pests on cabbages or fungus growth on leaves) etc. This will assist staff to identify the substance.
Some hazardous waste will not be accepted through this process and need to be handled by other agencies. The following items will NOT be accepted:
Any queries about household hazardous wastes and their disposal should be directed to Council's stormwater and waste mangement team leader.
Contact the Team Leader - stormwater and waste management
Information on the label should tell you:
There may be additional information (for instance, in the package or attached in a plastic sleeve) depending on its type and degree of hazard.
Storage information should be on the label. It's important to store chemicals correctly to protect your family and the environment, including our waterways.
Here are some good storage tips:
Last modified:
