How to make sure that you don't poison your beautiful river

What do our household chemicals have to do with a poisoned river?

If they find their way into the stormwater drain, they can spoil the river's health as well as that of the plants and animals that live there.

What sort of 'poisons' are we talking about?

We're talking about everything from gardening products such as weed killers and bug killers, to other outside chemicals like car cleaning products. Inside chemicals like insecticides, laundry and dishwashing detergents and others often used like methylated spirits and kerosene, etc., are all poisonous to one degree or another if consumed by humans. And equally so to the river if they end up down the drain.

So what can we do?

We can do a lot. The best place to start is by having a good look at all the chemicals we currently use and ask ourselves if there are any that we don't need to use at all.

Maybe there is something we could do differently that would avoid the need to use a chemical at all. (like picking snails out of our garden rather than putting poisonous snail killer on everything and having it washed off into the drain and the river, the next time it rains).

But what about the chemicals we can't do without?

For the chemicals we must use, we should make sure that we buy the least poisonous variety available. We can see that from the label.

• The most toxic have a warning on the label that says:
  Dangerous Poison - Keep out of reach of children.
     

• The next level down says:
  Warning (or Caution) - Keep out of reach of children.
     

• And the lowest level:
  Keep out of reach of children.

Of these chemicals we should only buy and use as much as we need, follow the directions on the label and if we do have some left over, not dispose of it down the toilet or the drain, or somewhere that it could be washed into the drain.

Cleaning agents and water-based paints

Waste management centres (waste transfer depots) may accept small amounts of these wastes.  As a last resort very small quantities (of the order of less than 200ml) of cleaning agents, water-based paints and empty paint containers may be placed in the garbage bin for collection.  (The paint should be dried first).   Note that damaged containers should be entirely wrapped in as many layers of newspaper or other absorbent material as practicable before being placed in the garbage bin.

Oil-based paints and solvents

Oil-based paints and solvents, including mineral turpentine and methylated spirits, must not be placed in the garbage bin.  They should be:

• Offered to someone who can use them or to a solvent recycler (see the EPA Recycling Directory - phone the EPA on 02 9325 5555 or 13 1555 for a copy).
     

• Or, stored in a safe place away from children, pending disposal.
  Very small quantities (up to 1L) may be concentrated by evaporation and the solid residue disposed of to a controlled landfill.

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Pharmaceuticals

Check if local pharmacists accept returns.  Small quantities of prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals may be disposed of with the household garbage after they have been separated from their packaging.  The empty packaging should then be wrapped within the household garbage.

This precaution is taken to avoid the possibility of children retrieving attractively coloured packages from the garbage

Sump Oil

Used motor oils can and should be recycled at the nearest Waste Service Depot that has a recycling bay.  Waste contractors are listed in the Yellow Pages of the phone book.  Also, a list of oil recyclers is published in the EPA Recycling Directory 94/95.   Some service stations may accept used motor oils from regular customers free of charge.  This would be subject to negotiation between the parties involved.  Members of the public who change their own oil should check if their motor oil supplier has facilities to accept the used oil.

Pesticides and Herbicides

• Pesticides, whether organophosphates, organochlorines or other types, must not be disposed of into the sewer or drain and should not be placed in garbage bins.
      

• Wherever possible, unwanted registered pesticides should be used according to the label or offered to someone who can use them, provided the label on the container is still intact and legible.
      

• Shelf-life is critical for the use of unwanted pesticides; get a reliable estimate of the age of the product.  Excessive age may be indicated by solvent loss and/or breakdown of the ingredients.
      

• If there is any doubt about the description on the label and the substance the container holds, the container and its contents should be handled as an unidentified pesticide.  Unidentified pesticide waste should be handled as in Disposal of Unknown Pesticides below.
      

• If there is any doubt about the registration of a particular pesticide, get advice from the National Registration Authority (06 272 5158).
  Where beneficial use is not an option or not possible, all pesticides (but particularly organochlorine pesticides) must be clear labelled with relevant details (for example, the chemical name, trade name, date and place or purchase and approximate quantity) and be securely stored awaiting disposal, possible via a chemical collection campaign.

Fertilisers

Garden fertilisers should be used in accordance with instructions on their original labels, or passed on to someone who can responsibly use them.  Otherwise, small amounts, except for ammonium nitrate (NITRAM), can be disposed of in the garbage bin after wrapping with paper.  Ammonium nitrate should either be used, disposed of via a licensed waste contractor or stored in a safe place away from children, oils and other chemicals, pending disposal.

Other Chemicals

For other chemicals and chemical wastes you may need specialist advice regarding treatment and disposal options.

For more information call the Environmental Health Unit on (02) 6670 2440, Fax (02) 6670 2590, or the Environment Protection Authority on 131 555

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