Ward 4 councillor Fiona Creed was spreading the word about safely getting rid of everything from car batteries and motor oil to light bulbs and smoke detectors free of charge at the household chemical clean out being held at the Attunga Road waste management centre from February 10 to 13.

Run by Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC), the three-day offer covers chemicals from the home, car and garage, and is a good opportunity for locals to safely dispose of items Clr Creed said should be kept out of mainstream waste collection.

“Everybody has some sort of chemical — paint products, old pesticides, insecticides — in their garage or garden shed,” she said.

“We don’t want it being thrown out in the normal garbage. This is a responsible way to get rid of these products.

“It’s a good initiative from the council and it’s free, which is very important.

“This is not means tested, everybody can use it and only a nominal 20 litre or 20kg limit applies for households.

“The emphasis is on getting it out of the home and disposing of it in a responsible manner.”

The council has recommended those disposing of chemicals wear gloves, separate and wrap items in newspaper, and keep them stable in the car by placing them upright.

Clr Creed supported the council’s move towards safe disposal of waste, and said she hoped to see more focus on recycling into the future.

“I would like an e-waste [electronic waste] collection and a compost collection,” she said.

“I have asked about that but it was . . . deemed too expensive.

“However, as we move into a new age where people want to recycle more and responsibly dispose of their waste it’s a good opportunity for council.

“Council could take the green waste, compost it and sell it back to people. It’s value adding.

“Many people don’t understand the processes of how it breaks down and I think that council needs to offer this as another service to the people of the Blue Mountains. I will keep pushing for it.”

Chemicals from commercial or industrial premises will not be accepted and proof of residency in the Blue Mountains — such as a driver’s licence or rates notice — is required.