Chemical cleanout returns in May

Monday, 15 April 2024

Penrith City Council is pleased to announce the return of its popular annual Chemical CleanOut event on Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May from 9:00am to 3:30pm.

Residents are encouraged to participate by safely disposing of their outdated and unused chemicals at The Kingsway Playing Fields car park in Werrington.

This event has become a cornerstone of the community's waste calendar, providing an opportunity for residents to responsibly dispose of various items, including old car batteries, garden chemicals, fire extinguishers, fluorescent globes and tubes, gas bottles, motor oils, paints and related products, pesticides and herbicides, pool chemicals, and household cleaners.

“In Penrith, we take our environmental responsibility seriously,” Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said. “The Chemical CleanOut event is an opportunity for residents to demonstrate their commitment to protecting our community and environment by disposing of chemical waste responsibly.”

"Household chemicals and other forms of chemical waste must be handled and disposed of safely to prevent environmental contamination and harm to wildlife. These items cannot be placed in household bins, as they pose risks to our garbage collectors and can contribute to fires.”

Many of the chemical items collected during this event are recycled or reused, contributing to Penrith's broader resource recovery efforts. Cr Carney says that by participating in the Chemical CleanOut, residents not only ensure safe disposal but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

"I applaud Penrith's ongoing dedication to recycling problem waste, particularly chemical waste. It's more important than ever to ensure that hazardous waste is disposed of correctly to protect both our community and the environment.”

Residents are encouraged to participate by following these simple steps:

• Label Your Chemical Waste: Clearly mark each type of chemical waste for proper identification.
• Pack Safely: Securely pack items into the trunk of your car or trailer.
• Bring to The Kingsway Playing Fields: Head down to the event location on the specified dates.
• Stay in Your Vehicle: Friendly staff will unload items without requiring residents to exit their vehicles.
• Seal and Label: Ensure all items are tightly sealed and labelled to aid in recovery efforts.

For more information about the Chemical CleanOut weekend and a list of accepted items, visit penrith.city/chemicalcleanout.

For residents unable to attend the Chemical CleanOut weekend, Council encourages them to utilize the Penrith Community Recycling Centre at Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys, for free recycling. Please visit penrith.city/CRC to verify which items are accepted.

Additionally, fluorescent light bulbs and household batteries can be dropped off at small CRC stations at Council's libraries in Penrith, St Marys, and St Clair. For safety, please tape battery terminals before disposal.

Photo Caption:
Penrith City Council social media tile for the Chemical CleanOut event.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Monday, 15 April 2024.