Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council and Howick Local Board are jointly funding a free drop-off event on Sunday, 29 March for Howick and Ōtara-Papatoetoe residents to safely dispose of their unwanted hazardous household waste.
Online bookings are open now and close on Sunday 22 March. Locals are encouraged to get in early to reserve one of the 350 spaces available.
“Many chemicals in our homes and garages are harmful if used, stored, or disposed of incorrectly. Holding this drop-off event is one of the proactive steps we can take to reduce the risk at a local community level,” says Howick Local Board Chair, Adele White.
“If you have any hazardous household waste sitting unused in sheds or cupboards around your property, now is your chance to get rid of it for free. This event ensures our community’s hazardous household waste will be collected, transported, stored, and disposed of according to New Zealand regulations. It helps to keep our children, pets, and families safe and prevents dangerous pollutants getting into our local waterways and environment.”
What people can drop off
The drop-off event will accept the following categories of hazardous household waste:
- Household waste – poisons, cleaners, solvents, batteries
- Garden chemicals – herbicides, insecticides, fungicides
- Automotive waste – brake fluid, antifreeze, fuel, motor oil, vehicle batteries
- Pool chemicals – chlorine
Other hazardous household waste, such as asbestos, cooking oil, e-waste, explosives/ammunition, fertilisers, light bulbs, gas cylinders, mobile phones, paint, and pharmaceuticals, will not be accepted at the drop-off event.
To find out how to safely dispose of these items, visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Book now – it’s easy
The drop-off event will take place in the Pakuranga Heights area.
Bookings are essential and places are strictly limited to 350 Howick and Ōtara-Papatoetoe residents.
Book before Sunday 22 March at myhazwaste.kiwi or call us on 0508 CHEMICAL (0508 243 642)
At the time you book, you will need to register the types of hazardous waste you would like to drop off. If you are unsure of the contents of a container, just select a category and bring it along. It will be inspected and if it is an item that cannot be accepted, the item will be refused.
Once registered, you will receive confirmation and details of the drop-off location and set time.
If the event is booked out when you go to book, you will be advised that your waste cannot be accepted for this event and your event registration will receive priority for any future event.
It’s important to be mindful of safety when transporting the items to the drop-off event. It is recommended that all items are placed in a lidded, sealed container that will not leak if anything spills during transit. Place the container in the boot of your vehicle, rather than inside it.
Creating safe, pollution-free communities
Chair of Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, Lotu Fuli, says the free hazardous household waste drop-off event is another positive step towards preserving Ōtara Creek and Ōtara Lake as community taonga (treasures).
“The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board has been working collaboratively with the community to protect our local waterways. We already fund the Ōtara Waterways and Lake Trust’s Neat Streets events, which help whānau to sort and dispose of their unwanted household items and waste and to minimise illegal dumping. This free hazardous household waste drop-off event is just the next step in the process to keep our homes safe and hazard-free for our tamariki (children) and our pets and look after our whenua (land),” says Lotu Fuli.
For more helpful tips on managing hazardous household waste, visit makethemostofwaste.co.nz
