PR 1248

DON'T GET STUCK WITH BANNED CREOSOTE

Hampshire County Council's household waste recycling centres are preparing for the ban on the household storage and use of creosote which comes into force on 30 June 2004.

The legislation has been introduced by the European Union in response to research which found that exposure to creosote posed a significant health risk.

Creosote has been banned from sale since 2003, so any wood preservatives or `creosote substitutes' purchased within the last year will be unaffected. The ban is primarily aimed at commercial users, but also affects amateur gardeners who may have the odd tin of the old-style creosote left in their sheds for occasional use.

Householders who think they may have some banned creosote to dispose of can take tins free of charge to one of seven County Council household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) that are licensed to accept hazardous household waste. These are found in Andover, Basingstoke, Bordon, Farnborough, Marchwood, Netley and Winchester. HWRCs in Southampton and Portsmouth will also accept it.

Following years of research, EU scientists have found that old-style creosote contains dangerous levels of the carcinogen, benzo-a-pyrene, which is a derivative of coal tar and could have a cancer risk. They felt that there was enough of a risk of people becoming ill from being splashed by it or breathing it in, so as a result, it is now banned for use across Europe by amateur gardeners, although professionals may still use it in a capacity that does not come into direct contact with people, plants or animals.

The County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, said: "The dedicated containers for collecting hazardous household waste at seven County Council HWRCs provide the ideal solution for any Hampshire householders needing to dispose of any creosote.

"Everything collected gets taken for specialist and safe disposal and, in light of continuing amendments to EU legislation, we are looking to license three more HWRCs to take hazardous waste from September. Hampshire is one of the top councils in the recycling table of county councils in the UK for the amount of household waste recycled and Hampshire residents can rest assured that our recycling centres are fully prepared for the safe disposal of creosote."

All seven County Council HWRCs that accept hazardous household waste are open seven days a week including bank holidays. Opening hours are 8am-7pm (1 April - 30 September) and 8am-4.30pm (1 October - 31 March). They will also accept other types of hazardous household waste including gardening products, chemical cleaners, anti-freeze, household batteries and fluorescent light tubes. All containers are locked, so you should inform the site manager on arrival to direct you to the right place.

For further information about the HWRC service in Portsmouth, call 023 9283 4092, or in Southampton, call 023 8083 2348. For more details about the ban and products affected, see: www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/noframes/creosote.htm

ENDS

For further information please contact: Alison Taylor on 01962 847666

alison.taylor@hants.gov.uk

16/06/2004