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Chemicals and hazardous waste

medicines

Hazardous waste include:

  • Chemicals
  • Needles and medical sharps
  • Medicines

Read below for ways to dispose of these items.

At the Chemical CleanOut days the following items can be disposed of free of charge:

  • Pesticides and herbicides
  • Solvents and household cleaners
  • Pool and hobby chemicals
  • Acids and alkalis

To find out when the next day is scheduled visit the Chemical CleanOut website.

EPA

The Chemical CleanOut is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy. Visit www.epa.nsw.gov.au

Alternatively, your nearest Waste Management Centre may accept chemicals for a fee. For more information visit the SUEZ website or phone 13 13 35.

SUEZ logo

Hornsby Shire Council is also participating in an Australia-wide campaign to raise awareness of the national security risks posed by some everyday chemicals. For more information visit www.nationalsecurity.gov.au

Needles and sharps waste must never be placed in street litter bins or public places.

If you discover a needle or syringe in a public place, contact the NSW Health Needle Clean-Up Hotline immediately on 1800 633 353.

You can safely dispose of needles at many pharmacies throughout Hornsby Shire. The free service accepts medical lancets, syringes and pen needles. However, the sharps items will only be accepted when presented in a sharps disposal container or a puncture-proof container with a screw-top lid.

See below for a list of participating sharps disposal pharmacies:

  • Berowra Village Pharmacy
    1A Turner Road, Berowra Heights
  • Bests Pharmacy (McBeath Peter Chemist)
    41-47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook
  • Chemist Warehouse Pennant Hills
    3 Hillcrest Road, Pennant Hills
  • Curry Chemist
    10 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby
  • Galston Village Pharmacy
    346 Galston Road, Galston
  • Gleeson Advice & Care Pharmacy
    288 Malton Road, North Epping
  • Healthsense Pharmacy
    354 Galston Road, Galston
  • Hornsby Heights Pharmacy
    Shop 2/110 Galston Road, Hornsby Heights
  • Inform Pharmacy Thornleigh
    Shop 7 Thornleigh Marketplace, 2-12 The Comenarra Parkway, Thornleigh
  • Pennant Hills Pharmacy
    Shop 3/4-10 Hillcrest Road, Pennant Hills
  • Priceline Pharmacy - Beecroft
    Shop TG14 Beecroft Place, 16-24 Hannah Street, Beecroft
  • Priceline Pharmacy Hornsby
    236 Pacific Highway, Hornsby
  • Supersave Chemist Asquith
    343 Pacific Highway, Asquith
  • Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy
    Shop 1043 Westfield Shopping Centre, 236 Pacific Highway, Hornsby
  • West Pennant Hills Discount Drug Store (MediAdvice)
    558 Pennant Hills Road, West Pennant Hills
  • Wisemans Ferry Pharmacy
    Shop 3-4 Wisemans Ferry Central, 5557 Old Northern Road, Wisemans Ferry

Local pharmacies safely dispose of your unwanted and out-of-date medicines free of charge. Once collected, unwanted medicines are securely transported to central depots where they are safely destroyed, with minimal impact to the environment. Don’t let your unwanted medicines become a danger to your household, the community or the environment — dispose of them correctly.

For more information phone 1300 650 835 or visit the National Return and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines website.

Why not try non-toxic cleaning?

Non-toxic cleaning is an easy way to reduce the number of chemicals in your home. It can have a positive impact on your family’s health and make your home a safer place to live, while reducing your impact on the environment. Natural cleaning agents are generally a fraction of the cost of commercially produced cleaners and can clean and disinfect to meet hospital standards.

Further Reading