Overview
Hazardous substances are chemicals which may be toxic or harmful to people, animals or the environment. These include:
- explosives and fireworks
- flammable liquids (eg fuels, paints and solvents)
- flammable gases and aerosols (eg LPG and spray cans)
- flamable solids (eg Sodium Metal, Sulphur, Silicon Powder)
- oxidising materials (Chlorine, Iodine, Hypochlorite-Bleach, Peroxides)
- toxics (cleaning fluids, pesticides and other garden chemicals)
- corrosives (acids and alkaline).
Safe storage and use of hazardous substances is essential to safeguard the health of Wellington's environment and population. The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act provides rules that apply across New Zealand. (The Act supersedes the Dangerous Goods Act and other legislation used to control hazardous substances.)
The Wellington District Plan provides additional rules, taking into consideration different land uses in sensitive environmental areas.
The Council is obliged, under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, to administer the Act in public places and in private dwellings. The Department of Labour's Occupational Health and Safety Service is obliged to administer the Act in workplaces. The Department has contracted Wellington City Council to undertake this work on their behalf in Wellington city.
Storage
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act provides guidelines on storing hazardous substances. To refer to the Act, you will need to know the classification of the product in question, the volume stored, and the individual container size used. The Act has regulations and codes of practice to determine how substances should be transported, stored and used.
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act - Environmental Risk Management Authority website
Additional tips for storing hazardous substances include:
- storing substances in the correct, upright position in a dry place away from heat or flames
- keeping products in the original containers with the lid on, in a cool place and out of reach of children and pets
- not storing incompatible substances next to each other (such as keeping LPG cylinders away from petrol cans, and keeping oxidising products away from any other hazardous substances)
- following the instructions on the container or package
- using all of the product before purchasing more
- not using more product than is recommended by the manufacturer
- cleaning up spills quickly provided this can be done in a way safe for you and the environment.
The storage of hazardous substances must also comply with the New Zealand Building Act and the Resource Management Act.
- Building Act - Department of Building and Housing website
- Resource Management Act - Ministry for the Environment website
Disposal
General tips for disposing of hazardous subtances include:
- ensuring hazardous waste is not mixed with your normal rubbish and not pouring unwanted chemicals down the sink, storm water drain or onto the ground
- reading the substance container for disposal instructions
- reusing or recycle when possible.
The Southern Landfill has a facility dedicated to the storage of household hazardous waste.
Hazardous Waste - Southern Landfill
For disposal of specific types of hazardous waste, refer to the relevant parts of the Ministry for the Environment website:
More Information
Hazardous Substance Officer
| Phone: | (04) 803 8056 |
| Email: | kareema.yousif |
Related Links
- District Plan
- Environmental Risk Management Authority website
- Hazardous Substance Information - Ministry for the Environment website
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act - Environmental Risk Management Authority website
- New Zealand Legislation website
- Occupational Safety and Health Service website
- Southern Landfill
- Terms and Conditions for Collection Services and Landfill Use
- Waste Management Bylaw
Department Details:
Public Health (Building Consents and Licensing Services)
