ChemClear is gearing up for its first state-wide collection for the year in South Australia.
The program is calling on all waste holders to register their unwanted chemicals for the collection. So far more than 16,000L/kg of obsolete product has been registered for collection.
More than 3000 L/kg of chemical already logged on the booking line falls into the free for collection category as a 4c per litre levy has been applied on these chemicals at the point of sale.
The remaining 13,000 L/kg are from unknown and historic manufacturers or companies not participating in the ChemClear and drumMUSTER stewardship programs.
A fee per litre for disposal will be applied to these chemicals as they sit outside the stewardship program’s scope and therefore no levy has been paid to support their collection and disposal.
The booking line is set to close on the 28th March with a planned April/May collection.
ChemClear’s last collection in South Australia saw more than 7,000 L/kg of chemicals collected in May 2011.
About 3000 L/kg of Group 1 chemicals were collected for safe disposal from 44 waste holders, while the figure for Group 2 products was just shy of 4000 L/kg thanks to contributions from 35 users.
ChemClear National Program Manager Lisa Nixon said they hope to collect even more product than in 2011.
“South Australian chemical users have shown tremendous commitment to reducing their unwanted chemicals in the past,” she said. “I think we can expect the same enthusiasm when we make our trip across the state later this year.”
“There is a growing awareness of the impact of positive and negative rural practices on the environment in the agricultural industry so agvet chemical users should ensure they take all reasonable steps to dispose of their waste effectively and environmentally.”
Ninety eight per cent of the chemical collected is used as an alternative fuel source in the manufacturing of cement.
Most of the material is destroyed in kilns which reach temperatures in excess of 1800°C.
To register your unwanted chemicals for ChemClear’s next run call the hotline on 1800 008 182.
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