Household Problem & Hazardous Waste

Some waste can be hazardous for both the environment and our community if they are not disposed of correctly and safely.

We need to keep hazardous waste out of the environment. Some common examples are paint, cooking oil, gas bottles, pool and hobby chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, old medicines, syringes, car batteries and asbestos.

These items never go into your red-lid or yellow-lid kerbside bins because:

  • They contain harmful materials to the environment
  • They have the potential to create a dangerous situation at waste facilities and for transport staff

You will find safe disposal options for household problem and hazardous waste here.

Household problem waste

Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) are free drop-off centres for problem household waste and are located at all our Recycling and Waste Depots and are open during Depot hours.

Items accepted at all our CRCs - only domestic quantities are accepted.

  • Car Batteries
  • Household Batteries
  • Fluro Tubes and Light Globes
  • Gas Bottles
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Motor Oils (up to 20L)
  • Other Oils (up to 20L)
  • Oil Based Paints (up to 20L)
  • Water Based Paints (up to 20L)
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Polystyrene - must be clean and white sheets commonly found in electronic packaging

E-waste (electronic waste)

E-waste refers to discarded electrical items or devices - this includes most items that are operated by a power cord or household battery.

E-waste contains a high amount of non-renewable resources such as plastic and precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, nickel, zinc, aluminium and copper. Recycling these materials prevents new electronics being made from virgin non-renewable sources while also preventing the products ending up in landfill.

E-waste is recycled at our Depots.

You can take your E-waste to any of our Recycling and Waste Depots for free!

Common E-waste includes:

  • Computers: monitors, devices, keyboards, scanners, calculators and other office electrical equipment
  • Phones: mobile, portable and house phones
  • Entertainment equipment: TVs, radios, CD players, stereos, video cameras, game consoles
  • Household appliances: kettles, toasters, food processors, lamps, torches, hairdryers

Whitegoods

Whitegoods can be recycled at any of our Recycling and Waste Depots free of charge.

Some whitegoods such as fridges and air conditioners may incur a refrigerant removal fee.

Household chemicals and poisons

Household chemicals and poisons cannot be accepted at our Depots.

The options for the safe disposal of household chemicals and poisons available to Shoalhaven residents are:

1. Household Chemical CleanOut Event is held once a year only

At a Chemical CleanOut event you can drop off the following items for free:

  • Poisons, acids and alkalis
  • Garden, pool and hobby chemicals
  • Solvents, oils and household cleaners

2. Visit the NSW EPA Chemical CleanOut website for more information

Other problem & hazardous waste

Printer Cartridges

Farm chemicals

Unwanted medicines

  • Most pharmacies in the Shoalhaven will receive these for collection and safe disposal as part of a Federal Government initiative for the safe disposal of unwanted medicines

For more information visit Returning Unwanted Medicines or contact RUM Project on 1300 650 835 or rum@netconnect.com.au.

Keep unwanted medicines away from children, out of our water supply and the environment.

Ammunition

  • To dispose of ammunition contact your local Police station

Marine Flares

More recycling and waste disposal options

There are many organisations providing recycling and waste disposal options for a range of items.

Find more options here.

We encourage Shoalhaven households to re-use and recycle responsibly to reduce the amount of waste going into our landfills and help preserve our beautiful environment.

Contact Us

Related Documents

Last updated on 25 September 2020

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