Spring has sprung and local residents are being reminded about the free collection service to rid their homes of unwanted chemical products.

Residents are encouraged to drop off their chemical products collected from homes, garages and cars at the upcoming Household Chemical CleanOut event hosted by Central Coast Council.

Due to the popularity of previous events, the EPA and Central Coast Council have organised a weekend event where households now have two days to drop off their waste.

Materials such as pool chemicals, car batteries, acids and alkalis, solvents, pesticides, chemical cleaners, motor oils, herbicides, paints, hobby chemicals, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, florescent bulbs and household cleaners can be dropped off at the Gosford Showground car park on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September, between 9am and 3.30pm.

Central Coast Council Waste Officer Sanchaya Parajuli said the event is a great opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted chemicals.

“The program is a convenient way for residents to get rid of problem waste and safely dispose of chemical products that may otherwise take up valuable space in their garages or be dumped illegally,” Mr Parajuli said.

“Residents now have the entire weekend to drop materials off. In the past, they have only had one day but they now have the option to visit the site on either the Saturday or the Sunday.

“There are many chemicals that can be dropped off, including most materials with flammable gas, corrosive, flammable liquid, toxic, flammable solid and oxidizing agent logos.”

In 2015, more than 3,000 households within the Central Coast region participated in the service and over 100,000kg of hazardous waste was collected.

Residents are advised to transport all materials carefully and to remain in their vehicles at the collection site. A maximum of 20kg or 20L container size per household will be accepted.

The free collection is part of the NSW Environmental and Protection Authority (EPA) Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded by the waste levy.

For a full list of accepted materials visit www.cleanout.com.au or call 131 555.