[−] What is the Hazmobile?

The Auckland Hazmobile is a free service co-ordinated by the Auckland Council.

[ − ] What does Hazmobile do with the waste it collects?

Much of the waste that is received is recycled or re-used and the remainder is treated to destroy its hazardous properties before it is disposed of in landfill. For example:  

• Waste oil and other flammable substances are used as fuel to fire a large approved industrial kilns in New Zealand.
• Wet cell batteries (lead-acid) are refurbished and reused, or recycled in New Zealand, while rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium and mercury-containing batteries are recycled overseas.
• Household and garden chemicals that are still in good condition are re-used.
• Household and garden chemicals that are in a poor or degraded condition are treated and disposed of in a safe manner that protects the environment.

[ − ] What is hazardous waste and why is it hazardous?

Anything that is flammable, corrosive, toxic, reacts with other materials or can pollute the environment is a hazardous material – and a household hazardous waste if it can reasonably be expected to come from a household, is in household quantities and is no longer needed or wanted.

The labelling on the product is often the best clue as to whether something is hazardous – if it uses words such as 'Warning', 'Danger', 'Caution', 'Poison'  or 'Do not dispose of with household rubbish' you can safely assume that you have a hazardous waste in your home.

Hazardous waste can be dangerous at every stage of its 'life'. Hazardous materials stored at home can react with one another and cause a fire or toxic fumes. Children can poison themselves. A container may leak and contaminate the soil or groundwater. If hazardous waste is disposed of with the rest of the household rubbish or put out with the inorganic rubbish collection, the people who pick up the rubbish can be injured, sometimes severely. And finally, hazardous waste that ends up in the landfill can leach into land and waterways and pollute the environment.

[ − ] What quantity can I bring?

The Hazmobile does not have the capacity to accept commercial waste. The Hazmobile crew will not accept any waste that they think is of a quantity or type that could not reasonably be expected to be found around the home.
Reasonable amounts that can be expected to come from a household will be accepted. The exception to this is oil/solvents, wet cell (vehicle) batteries and gas cylinders – these can be accepted in any quantity.

For more information about commercial hazardous waste click here.

[ − ] How often does Hazmobile come to my area?

The Hazmobile makes approximately 15 collections a year from different sites around the Auckland region. See the latest collection calendar here.

[ − ] How can I store hazardous materials in my home until a Hazmobile collection?

• Always keep hazardous materials out of the reach of children (and pets), for example in a locked cupboard.
• Make sure that all hazardous items are kept away from heat or ignition sources such as flames, sparks or even a car engine.
• Keep hazardous materials dry to prevent rusting of the container. Remember that plastic containers can turn brittle very quickly if exposed to strong sunlight, so keep them in a shady place.
• Rechargeable batteries can become flammable if they are in contact with water or left for a long time. Do not leave them sitting around for a long time after they reach the end of their life.
• Store different hazardous substances in separate areas, for example, all corrosives together but away from flammable products. Poisons should be put at a safe distance to other materials, and reactive chemicals such as pool chlorine should be stored all by themselves at a distance of at least 2 metres away from anything else.
• Pool chemicals can become dangerous if they are old or degrade or mix with other materials. Keep your pool chemicals securely stored in the containers you purchased them in, and dispose of them promptly when they become unwanted.
• Keep lids tightly closed.
• Always keep products in their original containers so that you know what they are. If the label is falling off, tape it back on.
• If the container is leaking and you have to use another, label it correctly.
• Never put a hazardous product in a food or beverage container.