Warrnambool City Council's health and local laws manager Murray Murfett said he was pleased by not only at big response to the collection but also that "nasty" chemicals such as cyanide had been handed in.

Mr Murfett said 540 vehicles had gone to the Warrnambool Livestock Exchange on Saturday to drop off chemicals.

"It went really well," he said.

The biggest volume item collected was paint and much of it would be recycled, Mr Murfett said.

The collection was open to items ranging from poisons, pool chemicals, old car batteries, mobile phones, engine oil, gas cylinders and fluorescent tubes.

The big response this year follows a drop in numbers to 403 vehicles last year, down from 480 vehicles in 2008.

Mr Murfett said the good community response this year ensured the event, which was funded by Sustainability Victoria, would take place again next year.

The round-up, which involved both the Warrnambool and Moyne council areas, was busiest regional collection in Victoria and attracted many regulars, Mr Murfett said.

The collection had been held for more than 10 years and people had got accustomed to having an annual opportunity to safely dispose of potentially hazardous substances.

"They know that about this time of year a collection is arranged. It is well promoted and is in a prominent location."

Mr Murfett said the collection company, Chemsal, was very professional and had two chemists at the collection point to help identify chemicals so the company knew how to handle them.

He said Chemsal aimed to recycle as many of the items collected as it could.