By Annabelle Tukia
Christchurch's earthquake authorities are worried many departing homeowners could be leaving toxic calling cards in the garden shed.
With 6000 homes facing demolition, it's feared everyday household cleaners and chemicals could be left behind to poison the soil for years.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) and the local councils are joining forces to ensure these hazardous materials are removed before any homes are demolished.
"With the land, we don't know what the future is with those residential zones and it's making sure those products are handled properly," says Don Chittock, ECan hazardous wastes manager.
To ensure they are handled properly, the Government is offering up $500,000 from the waste minimisation fund. That means ratepayers will no longer wear the cost for disposing of their waste and teams of inspectors will be mobilised to clear properties where waste may be left behind.
"The worst case scenario is they get overlooked in the huge challenge that the earthquake poses and they end up draining into streams or end up in the land, such that future generations of Cantabrians will be dealing with a contaminated site," says Environment Minister Nick Smith.
Robert Gerrie runs the eco-centre plant where people can leave their chemicals and cleaners.
"We've seen our regular volumes come in," he says. "It fluctuates from week to week, but we'd like to see a lot more coming through, especially as houses are cleared out."
It's an initiative that means there is now one less hassle to think about for red-zone homeowners on the move.
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