By ANNE BESTON
Throw out your old fire extinguishers and we will pay, say the Ministry for the Environment and fire protection industry.
Potentially thousands of old yellow fire extinguishers were in baches, boats and caravans, most of which not only did not work but caused serious damage to the ozone layer,
said Environment Minister Marian Hobbs.
Until the end of February, the Government and fire protection companies will pay the $20 cost of destroying them.
The old Halon extinguishers have been phased out and replaced by new red ones.
But many people believed their old ones were still good enough for baches and boats, Marian Hobbs said.
In a fire, many of them would be useless. Halon 1211, used in the old extinguishers, is one of the most ozone-damaging substances known.
"The amount of ozone destroyed by one small Halon fire extinguisher would fill many hundreds of dairy tankers," the minister said.
Fire protection companies are also offering a discount on new red fire extinguishers when the old yellow ones are handed in.
People can phone 0800 HALON HELP (0800 425 664) for more information.
Herald feature: Environment
