Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Wastes

Trial hazardous waste collections were held in 2002, 2004 and 2007 targeting agricultural chemicals. These collections were not very successful, so the focus is now on publicising the alternative to dumping materials that can be very harmful to people, water supplies or the environment.

A hazardous waste store is maintained at all landfills or transfer stations. Materials from other disposal sites and any wastes brought into the transfer site are stored, for disposal on a regular basis as part of a West Coast-wide hazardous materials disposal programme.

If in doubt, ask the attendant at the waste disposal site; they know what to do with hazardous materials.

The following materials will be accepted for disposal:

  • Poisons
  • Chemicals
  • Solvents
  • Pesticides
  • Herbicides
  • Paint
  • Lead-acid, Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries
  • Empty LPG gas bottles
  • Waste oil/filters

We will not accept the following materials:

  • Hazardous wastes in greater than 20kg amounts without special charges applying
  • Explosives
  • Radioactive materials (smoke detectors are not hazardous, dispose of them with general refuse)
  • Asbestos materials

Check with the Council for materials that will be accepted in your area

What happens to hazardous wastes?

Some are dealt with by reuse (e.g. paints, permitted chemicals). Some go to specialist recovery processors in New Zealand (solvents, oils, some paints) while the most difficult materials (PCB’s, banned pesticides) are shipped overseas for disposal at costs up to $50/kg.

Hokitika Transfer Station has an agrecovery container which accepts triple rinsed chemical containers for recycling free of charge.

Location http://www.westlanddc.govt.nz/index.cfm/1,422,0,0,html

Copyright © Westland District Council 2010

For more information contact the Council.