Rainbow sand disposal

Published on 17 November 2025

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The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has issued a public recall for rainbow sand from Educational Colours and coloured sand from Creatistics, after tests found tremolite (a naturally occurring asbestos).

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Below is a full list of recalled products:

  • EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) – previously recalled
  • Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg) – previously recalled
  • Four magic sand products sold at Kmart NZ:
  • 14-piece Sandcastle Building Set (Batch no: 42975724)
  • Blue Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304364)
  • Green Magic Sand (Batch no: 432919650)
  • Pink Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304371)

Immediate advice for consumers

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment advises those who've bought these products to:

  • Stop using the product immediately.
  • Do not let children touch or play with the sand.
  • Place the sand in a sealed container, then double-bag in thick plastic bags and seal with tape and clearly label as “Asbestos-Contaminated Material”. This is hazardous waste and must not go in general waste. Let transfer station staff know upon arrival that you have the contaminated sand product, and they will provide you with instructions for drop-off.
  • Do not dispose of in household rubbish or vacuum it up.
  • Refer to the clean-up and disposal instructions in the Health NZ webpage here: Asbestos in sand

Where to dispose of it locally

Thames Coromandel District Council will accept this material at the following Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station sites from Wednesday 19 November:

  • Thames Refuse & Recycling Transfer Station
  • Coromandel Town Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station
  • Whitianga Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station
  • Tairua Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station
  • Whangamatā Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station.

Check our website for details of these Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations.

Drop-off is free for customers with household volumes as long as it’s bagged, sealed, and labelled.

Volumes from workplaces or retailers will need to be managed directly by a registered asbestos licence holder (see advice below)

Immediate advice for workplaces

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment advises:

  • Stop using the product immediately
  • If the sand is in a sealed container, move it to a secure location away from people.
  • If the sand is currently being used in your workplace, please instruct everyone to leave the area, block it off and make sure it is not accessible.
  • Do not vacuum or sweep floors where there is sand or attempt to clean it up.
  • Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for immediate advice and support on your specific situation. Details of Class A licensed removalists are available in the Asbestos Removal Licence Holders Register.

More information

Further information can be found here: 

Recall expanded: samples of Kmart Magic Sand products found to contain asbestos 

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment's info about the products.

In addition, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand has published this advice.  

 

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