Hazardous substances are chemicals which may be toxic or harmful to people, animals or the environment. These include:
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.
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:
The storage of hazardous substances must also comply with the New Zealand Building Act and the Resource Management Act.
General tips for disposing of hazardous subtances include:
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:
Hazardous Substance Officer
| Phone: | (04) 803 8056 |
| Email: | kareema.yousif |
Department Details:
Public Health (Building Consents and Licensing Services)