Household use and disposal
Many everyday household products and materials contain a diverse range of chemicals, including some which pose a threat to health and the environment. Domestic products containing chemicals include paints; cleaning agents, such as detergents; varnishes; cosmetics; weed killers; insecticides; baits; and wood, pool and pet treatments.
Information on using these chemically based products safely and responsibly, including finding natural alternatives to them, is available from a range of government and non-government organisations listed below.
| Please note: The Department of Environment and Climate Change does not endorse in any way, or make any representations in relation to, any information, products or companies named or listed in the following websites or publications. You should make your own inquiries and obtain your own advice in relation to them. |
Safe and responsible use of chemicals
* = Government website
Safer Solutions website: Information on actions you can take to keep your family safe and healthy in the home, developed in partnership between the Total Environment Centre and DECC as part of an educational initiative funded by the NSW Environmental Trust under the Our Environment It's a Living Thing program.
*Controlling pests around the home: The US Environmental Protection Agency presents 'dos and don'ts' for kids, parents and teachers about safe domestic pest control.
*For kids – learn about chemicals around your house: An interactive tool to help children learn about chemicals around their house room-by-room from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
*Environment resource manual – chemicals: The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture in Canada provides general information and precautions about using household chemicals.
Alternatives to chemicals
* = Government website
*Sustainable Cleaning: DECC's sustainability resources include an Easy Guide to Natural Cleaning.
*Recycling and waste: DECC's information on recycling and waste, including organic waste collection and recycling.
Chemicals and health in the home: WWF's room-by-room guide for minimising our everyday exposure to hazardous chemicals. Includes simple tips on what products and materials to avoid or buy, and what to change in each room to create a healthy home environment.
Planet Ark product information: Planet Ark's tips on a range of environmentally friendly products, plus a fact sheet on household cleaning products and methods.
*Controlling pests around the home: The US Environmental Protection Agency presents 'dos and don'ts' for kids, parents and teachers about safe domestic pest control.
*Environment resource manual – chemicals: The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture in Canada provides general information and precautions about using household chemicals.
Chemicals and home renovation
* = Government website
Safer Solutions website: Information on actions you can take to keep your family safe and healthy in the home, developed in partnership between the Total Environment Centre and DECC as part of an educational initiative funded by the NSW Environmental Trust under the Our Environment It's a Living Thing program.
*Do It Yourself Safely website: The DIY Safely website produced by NSW Health provides practical health advice for people renovating their home on how to avoid harm caused by exposure to harzardous materials such as lead, abestos, treated timber and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
*Managing lead contamination: NSW Department of Planning and the EPA (now part of DECC) joint publication Managing Lead Contamination, Home Maintenance, Renovation and Demolition Practices. A Guide for Councils.
*Lead factsheets: The Australian Department of Environment and Water Resources website provides factsheets relating to lead and various topics such as renovation, your health, marine paints, pottery and recreational activies, as well as a guide to painting your home.
Chemicals and the garden
* = Government website
*Sustainable gardening: DECC's sustainability education resources include an Easy Guide to Sustainable Gardening.
*Plants for gardens: Royal Botanic Garden's (part of DECC) information about plants and sustainable gardening.
Safer Solutions website: Information on actions you can take to keep your family safe and healthy in the home, developed in partnership between the Total Environment Centre and DECC as part of an educational initiative funded by the NSW Environmental Trust under the Our Environment It's a Living Thing program.
Disposing of chemicals
* = Government website
*Household chemical collection: Details of DECC's Clean Out program with information on dates, venues and materials that can be collected and tips on how to safely transport the chemicals.
Recycling and waste: DECC's information on recycling and waste, including organic waste collection and recycling.
Chemical information sheets: Links to information sheets for a number of chemicals provided by the National Toxics Network.
National chemicals regulators
*National Chemicals Management: For information on the national chemical management schemes, and who regulates what, see this DECC webpage.
National Chemicals Information Gateway and Reference Guide
*National Chemical Information Gateway: For more information about chemicals, this gateway provides anyone interested in chemicals, including pesticides, with a quick and easy way to find out more.
*National Chemical Reference Guide: This guide contains data on environmental standards and guidelines in Australia for over 600 chemicals, and includes environmental criteria for chemicals in the air, water, soil, sediment and biota.