City of York Council's waste experts are advising residents that they can dispose of unwanted garden chemicals at two designated sites in the city.

The advice comes following the withdrawal of 80 amateur gardening products, including certain types of weedkiller and lawnfeed, and 130 professional products from the market because the companies which make them will not pay for them to undergo new tests. The products can still be used until 31 December.

York gardeners are being advised to take the unwanted chemicals to the chemical stores at the Towthorpe and Foss Islands household waste sites. To ensure that there is space available for the safe storage of the chemicals, residents are advised to phone the household waste site first.

Kristy Walton, head of waste strategy, City of York Council, said: "Although the chemicals are no longer for sale, they are perfectly safe to use and we would recommend that people use their existing supplies by the end of the year. However, if local residents do have chemicals they no longer need or want, they should take them to the chemical stores at Towthorpe or Foss Islands household waste sites. It's illegal to dispose of chemicals down drains, sinks or loos so gardeners really must use them or take them to a designated site."

Residents can contact Towthorpe household waste site on 01904 491819 (open 8.30am to 7pm each day) or Foss Islands on 01904 671964 (open 8.30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 8.30am to 4pm on Sundays).

For more information on the chemicals which have been withdrawn, please see the attached fact sheet and web link.

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Disposal of garden chemicals

The EU has issued a ban on certain pesticide products as part of a review to ensure that pesticide active substances continue to meet modern safety standards. The products have been withdrawn because some manufacturers decided not to support their products through the review. Around 135 professional and 80 amateur products will be affected. The majority of amateur products are lawn treatments.

To find out if the chemicals you use are affected:

Contact: Defra 08459 335577

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2003/pesticides.htm

Contact: Waste Services 01904 551575

The timetable for the withdrawal is:

24th July 2003 - last day for sale by any person

31st December 2003 - last day of use by any person; and

31st March 2004 - last day for storage (for the purposes of disposal only)

It is possible to legally continue using these products in your garden for the rest of this year i.e. up to 31st December 2003. After that you may continue to store the products for a further 3 months but only whilst arrangements are being made for disposal.

How to dispose of your chemicals:

It is ILLEGAL to dispose of garden chemicals or their wastes to drains, sinks or lavatories.

Householders can take their chemicals to either Foss Islands Household Waste Site or Towthorpe Household Waste Site.

It is essential to phone the relevant site first to ensure that there is sufficient space available in the chemical storage unit. If you have not phoned before arriving at the site you may be asked to return at a later date.

Foss Islands Household Waste Site 01904 671964

Towthorpe Household Waste Site 01904 491819

Businesses should contact a specialist chemical waste disposal company to arrange disposal of their chemicals. A list of companies can be found under "Waste Disposal Services" in the Yellow Pages. To ensure that the company enlisted to make your collections is correctly licensed to carry chemical waste contact the Environment Agency on 01904 692296.

If you require any further information please contact tel: 01904 551575 or email recycling.team@york.gov.uk.