On February 1, 2019, the Consumer New Zealand released a new guide to help protect New Zealand people from hazardous domestic chemicals. The research and production of the guide was funded by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and is freely available on the website of Consumer New Zealand.
The guide is based on a survey of Consumer New Zealand members and city and district councils. Four prevalent but problematic product categories have been identified according to the survey results, namely herbicides, pesticides, solvents and varnishes/wood polishes. Click here to see the hazardous waste collection information about each council.
Meanwhile, upon researching all 67 council websites in the country, the guide suggests that councils provide more information for consumers on hazardous waste disposal by, for example, listing the categories of household products that can’t go in the general refuse.
The guide also includes information on chemical storage, banned pesticides, and a district guide to disposal facilities around New Zealand. It will help New Zealand people to find out how to dispose of hazardous domestic chemicals safely in the approved facility in their area.
