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How to Comply with Hazardous Substance Disposal Rules on Farms in New Zealand

How to Comply with Rules for Disposal of Hazardous Substances on Farms

If you run a farm in New Zealand, chances are you’ve got hazardous substances lying around — old fuel drums, used oil, empty spray containers, leftover pesticides, or expired animal treatments. It’s all part of farm life.

But here’s the thing: under the HSNO Act (Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, there are strict rules on how you dispose of these substances. Dumping them, burning them, or tipping them down a drain can land you with heavy fines and serious environmental damage.

So here’s the simple guide to doing it right — in a way that keeps you safe, compliant, and off the radar with WorkSafe NZ.

1️⃣ Identify What You’re Disposing Of

Before anything leaves your shed, figure out what it is.

  • Check the label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for disposal instructions.

  • Sort substances into groups: flammables, corrosives, toxics, oxidisers, etc.

  • Never mix different chemicals — it can cause dangerous reactions.

👉 If the label’s missing or unreadable, treat it as hazardous until proven otherwise.

2️⃣ Use the Correct Containers

  • Keep hazardous waste in strong, sealed, and labelled containers.

  • Use containers compatible with the substance — don’t pour acids into metal drums.

  • Double-check lids and seals to avoid leaks.

  • Don’t reuse food or drink containers for chemical storage (a big HSNO no-no).

3️⃣ Follow Safe Storage Before Disposal

  • Store waste in a designated area away from stock, feed, and waterways.

  • Use bunding or trays to contain spills.

  • Keep incompatible substances separate — for example, fuel and fertiliser don’t mix.

  • Post hazard warning signs where waste is stored.

4️⃣ Arrange Proper Disposal

There are a few safe options for getting rid of hazardous farm waste in Auckland or other regions:

  • Council or Regional Collection Days: Auckland Council and other local bodies often run hazardous waste drop-off programs.

  • Licensed Waste Contractors: Companies collect and dispose of hazardous substances safely — fuels, chemicals, oils, batteries, and more.

  • Agrecovery Programme: For farmers, Agrecovery provides recycling and disposal services for empty agri-chemical containers and unwanted pesticides.

📞 Keep records of every collection or disposal — WorkSafe or the EPA can ask for proof.

5️⃣ Never Do These

  • ❌ Don’t burn hazardous waste — it releases toxic fumes.

  • ❌ Don’t bury or dump on the property.

  • ❌ Don’t tip chemicals into drains, ponds, or soil.

  • ❌ Don’t leave them sitting in the sun or near ignition sources.

These shortcuts might seem quick, but they can contaminate land, kill livestock, and cost you thousands in cleanup.

6️⃣ Train Your Staff

  • Anyone handling or disposing of hazardous substances must be trained under HSNO regulations.

  • They should know how to read SDS information, handle spills, and store waste safely.

  • Keep training records for compliance.

Why Farmers Struggle With Disposal Compliance

  • Old drums and containers pile up behind sheds.

  • SDS sheets go missing or are out of date.

  • No one keeps disposal records.

  • Time and paperwork — it’s just one more job on the list.

That’s exactly why Auditsure Ltd built ChemMatrix — to make it simple.

How Auditsure Ltd and ChemMatrix Can Help

Auditsure Ltd are compliance experts helping SMEs and farms across New Zealand meet their HSNO and WorkSafe obligations. They’re developing ChemMatrix, a smart digital platform that takes the guesswork out of managing hazardous substances.

With ChemMatrix, you can:

  • Keep a live register of all hazardous substances on your farm.

  • Automatically link every product to its SDS and disposal requirements.

  • Get reminders when waste needs to be removed.

  • Record safe disposal events with photos, receipts, and transporter details.

  • Generate audit-ready reports with one click for WorkSafe or MPI.

No more paper folders or guesswork — ChemMatrix keeps your farm safe, organised, and fully compliant.

Final Word

Disposing of hazardous substances on farms isn’t just about ticking a compliance box. It’s about protecting your land, your people, and your animals.

Know what you’re disposing of, store it safely, use approved disposal services, and keep clear records. And if you don’t have the time or patience for the paperwork, let Auditsure Ltd and their ChemMatrix platform handle it for you.

You keep farming — they’ll keep you compliant.

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