Hampshire gardeners wanting to take early action to comply with a European Union (EU) ruling outlawing about 80 garden chemical products can take them to one of nine household waste recycling centres across the county (HWRCs).

Householders can continue using the substances until the end of the year, but must have got rid of them all - safely - by the end of March 2004.

Under the Project Integra partnership, the products can be taken to Hampshire County Council HWRCs in Andover, Basingstoke, Bordon, Farnborough, Marchwood, Netley and Winchester. HWRCs in Portsmouth and Southampton also accept the items. All will be disposed of free of charge.

The nine sites have dedicated containers to store hazardous household substances which are then taken for specialist and safe disposal. Materials should be kept in their original containers wherever possible, and the site manager should be informed on arrival at the HWRC to ensure the waste is placed in the correct disposal unit.

The County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, said: "Hampshire's new scheme provides the ideal solution for householders who now need to dispose of garden chemicals targeted by the EU review programme.

In addition, the nine sites will also accept any other unwanted gardening products, chemical cleaners, anti-freeze and other potentially dangerous household substances that could pose a danger to children, animals or the environment."

All County Council HWRCs are open seven days a week, including bank holidays, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening hours are 8am-7pm (1 April-30 September) and 8am-4.30pm (1 October-31 March).

For further information about the service offered in Portsmouth call 023 9283 4092 or Southampton 023 8083 2348. For more information about the substances affected, visit http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=361

ENDS