Environment

Our Waste Management Officers will come and collect unwanted rural hazardous wastes from your property - free of charge in most cases.

Have you got old, unwanted or banned agricultural chemicals cluttering up your shed?

Free collection service

We do not collect old paint tins - take these to your transfer station. You may qualify for free collection service to dispose of unwanted chemicals and rural hazardous wastes.

You can help reduce the amount of dangerous chemicals that may be a hazard in rural areas by bringing them to a collection point or ringing us to arrange for their safe, responsible disposal.

Please note that this service is not intended to subsidise the disposal of chemicals for commercial users. The service is, ultimately, funded by and intended for the benefit of the ratepayers of Northland.

We also operate a hazardous waste drop-off point in Whāngārei.

What can I get rid of?

In Northland, we will accept most chemical waste in small to medium quantities (individual containers of 25kg or 25 litres) including the following:

• agricultural chemicals, including those that are:
• banned, obsolete or deregistered*
• unwanted or surplus
• unlabelled or where the contents are unknown
• stored in leaking or damaged containers (in this case, contact us and we will call at your property to collect)
• dairy shed cleaners
• animal treatments
• empty containers not eligible for the Agrecovery recycling programme

The collection does not cover:

• chemicals covered by the Agrecovery Programme (see: www.agrecovery.co.nz)
• explosives (eg. gelignite, boat flares and ammunition)
• infectious substances
• radioactive wastes
• waste oil
• paint
• vehicle batteries
• general household or farm wastes

If you're unsure of what you're allowed to keep, a list of all registered chemicals can be found at: www.eatsafe.nzfsa.govt.nz/web/public/acvm-register

Tips for transporting hazardous substances

• Make sure all containers are securely packaged so they can't leak or give off fumes.
• Keep flammable and reactive materials separate from each other and other chemicals.
• Line the vehicle with plastic sheeting to contain any spillages.
• Put hazardous wastes in the boot or tray of your vehicle, or use a trailer.
• Do not carry hazardous wastes in the cab with you.
• Keep the load dry and avoid wet weather conditions.

Safety checklist

• Check the labels on containers and follow any handling instructions. Use protective clothing and equipment such as a mask or gloves.
• Don't eat, drink or smoke when handling chemicals.
• Keep hazardous substances away from children, food, animal feed, seeds, fertiliser or flammable material such as petrol or oil.
• Check if any containers are damaged or leaking. Put leaking containers inside another secure container and put a label on the outside describing the contents.
• For hazardous substances you wish to store, place them in a dry. well-ventilated and securely locked shed or cupboard and keep them off the ground.
• Store chemicals in labelled containers (ideally their original container) with lids tightly closed.  

Further information

For more information on safety around hazardous substances, particularly for storing those you choose to keep, refer to the Environmental Protection Authority website www.epa.govt.nz

The New Zealand Agrichemical Education Trust's Code of Practice for the Management of Agrichemicals (NZS8409:1999). Copies can be purchased from www.standards.co.nz or your local bookstore.

If you want to know more about the Northland Rural Agrichemical Collection, contact us on 0800 002 004 or email mailroom@nrc.govt.nz