Before attending a Detox Your Home event it is important that you check which toxic household chemicals are accepted at these events.

Accepted items

Home

• acids and alkalis ¹
• aerosol cans ²
• cleaners – ammonia based ³
• cooking oil
• detergents
• disinfectants
• fire extinguishers
• floor-care products and waxes
• glues – water-based and solvents
• nail polish and remover
• paint stripper, thinner and turps
• pharmaceuticals and cosmetics ⁴
• photographic chemicals
• rat poison
• wood preservatives and finishes (oils and varnishes)

Garden and pool

• fertiliser
• herbicides and weed killers
• insect spray/pesticides
• lawn mower fuel
• pool chemicals ⁵

Garage

• anti-freeze
• brake fluid
• car body filler
• car wax
• coolant
• fuels – petrol, diesel, kerosene, other
• transmission fluid

Products you find around your home labelled with the following symbols will also be accepted:

¹ Includes spirit of salt, bleach, vinegar and rust remover

² Includes gas canisters / aerosols. Empty cans can be placed in your household recycling bin

³ Includes oven, drain, shower and glass cleaners

⁴ Medicines can be disposed of safely at your local pharmacy via the Returned Unused Medicines (RUM) project

⁵ Includes liquid pool chlorine and pool salts

How much can I drop off at a Detox event?

There is no limit on the volume of materials you drop-off, however the maximum acceptable weight or size of any single container is 20 kilograms or 20 litres. Decanting is not permitted so bring chemicals in disposal containers.

Return Unwanted Medicines project

You can drop medicines for free at your local pharmacy through the Returned Unwanted Medicines (RUM) project. Your pharmacist will put your medicines in a secure bin for collection and safe disposal.

Visit the RUM website

Items not accepted

Ammunition – call 1800 136 089 for WorkSafe Victoria to pick up your ammunition.

Visit the WorkSafe Victoria website

Asbestos – call EPA on 1300 372 842 for advice

Visit the Environment Protection Authority website

Batteries – take batteries to your local Aldi, Officeworks, Bunnings or Batteryworld store or drop them off at a permanent drop-off site

Visit the Aldi website  Visit the BatteryBack website

Visit the Battery World websiteView the list of permanent drop off sites

Chemicals used by businesses for industrial and commercial purposes

You can check the Yellow Pages under 'waste reduction and disposal services' for chemical disposal companies or visit the below site.

Visit businessrecycling.com.au

Chemicals used on the Farm – Visit the ChemClear website or freecall 1800 008 182 for collection of unwanted rural chemicals

Visit the ChemClear website

Fluorescent lights – take fluorescent lights to a permanent drop-off site

View the list of permanent drop off sites

Gas cylinders – some council transfer stations offer gas cylinder recycling.

Contact your local council Visit the Recycling Near You website

Medical Waste – Visit the EPA webiste for advice.

Visit the Environment Protection Authority website

Motor oil – contact your local council for disposal points in your area, or visit the Recycling Near You website.

Contact your local council Visit the Recycling Near You website

Paint – take paint to a permanent drop-off site or visit Paintback to find your nearest drop-off site.

View the list of permanent drop off sites Visit the Paintback website

Printer cartridges – can be recycled through the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program.

Find your nearest participating outlet

Permanent drop-off sites

Permanent drop-off sites accept household paint, batteries and fluorescent lights for free. These sites are typically located at council transfer stations and depots and are accessible all year round. Contact your local council for other products you can drop off at permanent sites, disposal fees and opening hours.

View the list of permanent drop off sites Contact your local council