Organised by Northcern Inland Regional Waste (NIRW) and supported by local Councils and the NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, and funded from the waste levy, the campaign commences in Warialda this week.

There will be eight sites hosting Household Chemical Cleanout events throughout New England North West and Walcha residents are able to drop off their chemical waste at any of them.

NIRW Program Coordinator, Alison Leckie said the annual Chemical CleanOut was a vitally important community service which benefits both the environment and the health and safety of people throughout the New England and North West.

“The leftover chemicals in your home including paints, solvents, pesticides and even cleaning products can be hazardous and should be disposed of safely,” Mrs Leckie said.

“Residents can drop off their old and unwanted household chemicals at designated drop off centres throughout the region, with a maximum container size of 20 litres or 20kgs.”

“This is certainly one of NIRW’s most successful programs, and it’s pleasing that we are still seeing a really positive response rate from the community after 16 years of the program”.

In 2015 over 27 tonnes  of chemicals and hazardous household material was collected during the campaign, and over 254 tonnes collected since the campaign began in 1999.

The program runs over two weeks in Warialda, Moree, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Quirindi, Tenterfield, Armidale, Tamworth and Manilla.  The Armidale event will take place on Friday October 21 and the Tamworth event will take place on Saturday October 22  with the final collection event being  held in Manilla on Sunday October 23.

For information on dates and venues, or to check the materials accepted, please visit www.cleanout.com.au