The Andrews Labor Government is protecting the community and the environment by helping Victorians to safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today announced an additional $4 million funding for the Detox Your Home program, as part of the Victorian Budget 2022/23.

Thanks to the funding, free local pop-up events are run in conjunction with local councils, where household chemicals such as cleaning products, fuels and flammable liquids, pool chemicals, car wax, anti-freeze, brake fluid, pesticides and herbicides can be dropped off.

There are also 30 permanent collection sites which accept household batteries and fluorescent lights.

The program is the only one of its kind in Victoria, and Victorians can attend any pop-up event, with around 40 events across the state each year.

The program has seen the safe removal of 7,000 tonnes of toxic chemicals – equivalent to the weight of 40 trams – and over 10,000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle materials from households around the state.

On average Victorians who use the program bring an average of 23kg of waste for disposal, with two thirds of people reporting they’ve had their toxic materials for over five years.

Expert chemists are on hand at every event to identify and sort the chemicals, which are then safely transported to a dedicated facility where they are processed for reuse or safe disposal. Chemicals collected are processed and recovered, recycled wherever possible, or disposed of safely.

The most common items collected at pop up events are petrol, kerosene, turpentine, cooking oils, methylated spirits, pesticides and herbicides.

For more information or to find a Detox Your Home event near you visit https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re helping Victorians remove toxic household products safely so they don’t pollute our environment, harm animals and vegetation, contaminate our water or make rivers and beaches unsafe for swimming.”

“Victorians are encouraged to check their cupboards and sheds for these common but potentially harmful household items and take them to a free event, where they will be safely processed and either reused or disposed of correctly.”