PR 954

GARDEN CHEMICALS DISPOSAL DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR

Hampshire gardeners with chemical-based garden products, such as lawn treatments and pesticides, in their sheds and garages have until the end of March to safely dispose of them.

Householders can no longer legally use around 80 different garden chemical products outlawed by the European Union (EU), and will not be allowed to store them as of 31 March.

Under the Project Integra partnership, the products can be disposed free of charge at the seven Hampshire County Council household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) licensed to accept hazardous household waste. These are situated in Andover, Basingstoke, Bordon, Farnborough, Marchwood, Netley and Winchester. HWRCs in Portsmouth and Southampton also accept the items.

All of the licensed sites have dedicated containers to store hazardous household substances which are then taken for specialist and safe disposal. Materials should be kept in their original containers wherever possible, and the site manager should be informed on arrival at the HWRC to ensure the waste is placed in the correct disposal unit.

The County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, said: "The County Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres provide the ideal solution for householders who need to dispose of the withdrawn garden chemicals. In addition, the sites will also take any other unwanted gardening products, chemical cleaners, anti-freeze and other potentially dangerous household substances that could pose a danger to children, animals or the environment.

"In light of the new EU regulations and other forthcoming legislative changes, we are looking to licence three more HWRC's to take this type of hazardous waste."

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).

For further information about the service offered in Portsmouth call 023 9283 4092 or Southampton 023 8083 2348. For more information about the substances affected, visit www.pesticides.gov.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact: Kirsty Gunner on 01962 847110

kirsty.gunner@hants.gov.uk

09/03/2004