Hazmobile gathers up tonnes of waste

Over 25 tonnes of hazardous waste was delivered at Hazmobile collection depots in Hastings and Napier over the weekend.

Residents gathered up their waste, including used engine oil, chemical sprays and part tins of paint and delivered it to the Hazmobile sites, from where it will be recycled or disposed of correctly. 434 vehicles visited the Hazmobile in Napier while 378 vehicles arrived in Hastings.

Paint was one of the top items brought in for disposal, with the amount collected increasing from 11 drums last year to 23 drums this year. The trained staff who operated the Hazmobile sites also reported an increase in the amount of nasty pesticides being delivered this year.

Hastings District Council Waste Minimisation planner Angela Atkins says “Anyone storing hazardous materials at home runs the risk of having the containers develop a leak which will become a danger to the environment or could cause poisoning.”

Angela Atkins says “By offering a special collection day for this waste, councils provide residents with a chance to 'do the right thing' for everyone's health and for the environment - and it's a great opportunity to raise awareness about hazardous waste.”

For those who weren’t able to get to the Hazmobile collection there are still options for the safe disposal of hazardous waste. Resene stores will accept paint which is no longer wanted while car batteries and small volumes of waste oil can be taken to the regions Refuse Transfer Stations

Angela Atkins says “It’s extremely important for people and the environment that hazardous waste is disposed correctly and the success of this year’s Hazmobile collection will ensure its return in 2012.”

Hazmobile is an annual collection service provided by the Hastings District, Napier City and Hawke’s Bay Regional Councils. More information on hazardous waste is available at www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/hazardous-substances