What is household hazardous waste?

These include:

• Paints and solvents
• Pesticides
• Cleaning products and other household chemicals
• Household batteries
• Small gas cylinders

None of these should be disposed of in any household kerbside bins, whether that's general waste, recycling or food and garden organics (FOGO) bins.

Batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can also cause fires in collection vehicles and waste and recycling facilities.

Free disposal options

Disposing of household hazardous waste responsibly doesn't have to cost anything. Free drop-off facilities are available through WA's Household Hazardous Waste Program, and you don't need to live in the council area that operates the facility.

The program accepts household quantities only, with a limit of 20 kg or 20 litres per material type. Commercial, industrial and other non-domestic waste is not accepted under the program. Hazardous waste should be kept separate from general rubbish, as mixed loads may attract disposal charges. Check individual facility requirements before visiting.

Paint can also be dropped off free through the Paintback scheme, which accepts up to 100 litres per visit in containers of 20 litres or less. Paint thinners, solvents and many non-paint products are not accepted, so check the scheme's requirements before making a trip.

Some items, including asbestos and electronic waste, are not accepted under the HHW Program. However, some facilities may offer separate disposal or recycling services for certain excluded materials, so it's worth checking before you visit.

Transporting tips

It is important to take the following precautions when transporting household hazardous waste.

• Handle hazardous waste carefully, avoid direct skin contact and wear suitable protective gloves.
• Place hazardous waste containers in plastic tubs or trays to catch any spills or leaks.
• Keep different hazardous chemicals separate and never mix them.
• Place containers in the corner of your car boot and pack the sides so they cannot tip or roll around.
• If transporting waste in a hatchback vehicle, keep at least one window open for ventilation.
• If possible, do not transport hazardous waste with children or animals in the car.
• Double-wrap old containers in leak-proof plastic bags.
• If a label is unreadable and you know the contents, place a note on the container without opening it.
• Advise depot staff of any containers with unknown contents.

Permanent metropolitan collection facilities

• Recycling Centre Balcatta, City of Stirling
• Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility, City of Armadale
• Recycling hazardous waste, City of Canning
• Hazardous waste disposal, City of Cockburn
• West Metro Recycling Centre, Western Metropolitan Regional Council
• Hazardous household substances, City of Rockingham
• Household hazardous waste, Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council
• Household hazardous waste, Mindarie Regional Council
• Fremantle Recycling Centre, City of Fremantle

Check the relevant council or regional council website for current opening hours, accepted materials and any conditions before visiting.

Items that can be dropped off

The HHW Program accepts domestic quantities only, with a limit of 20 kg or 20 litres per material type. The following materials are covered under the program.

• Acids and alkalis
• Aerosols
• Arsenic-based products
• Batteries – household (tape terminals)
• Batteries – lithium-ion (excluding batteries embedded in products that cannot be removed and electric vehicle batteries)
• Cyanides
• Engine coolants and glycols
• Fire extinguishers – non-Halon (red only)
• Flammables
• Flares
• Fluorescent lamps and tubes (including CFLs)
• Gas cylinders (BBQ cylinders, small leisure or camping LPG cylinders, butane canisters and disposable helium cylinders only)
• General household chemicals (e.g. cleaners)
• Heavy metal compounds
• Herbicides
• Inorganic oxidising agents (e.g. pool chlorine)
• Mercury – elemental
• Organic peroxides
• Paint
• PCB materials (polychlorinated biphenyls)
• Pesticides
• Smoke detectors
• Solvents – halogenated
• Poisons/toxics
• Unknown chemicals in sealed, chemical-resistant containers

Items that cannot be dropped off

The following materials are not covered under the HHW Program.

• Any material from non-domestic sources (e.g. agricultural, commercial, laboratory, veterinary or industrial waste)
• Asbestos
• Lead-acid batteries
• Containers over 20 kg or 20 litres
• Cooking oil
• E-cigarettes and vapes
• Empty chemical containers or drums
• EPIRBs or PLBs
• EV batteries
• Electronic waste and batteries embedded in products that cannot be removed
• Explosives (other than accepted flares), ammunition or firearms
• Fire extinguishers – Halon (yellow)
• Medications and pharmaceuticals
• Mobile phones (take them to a phone retailer for MobileMuster drop-off)
• Motor oil
• Other types of gas cylinders, including:
  • Car LPG tanks
  • Large gas cylinders (such as 45 kg LPG bottles)
  • Nitrous oxide canisters of any size
  • Other gas cylinder types
  • SodaStream cylinders
  • CO₂ cylinders of other types
• Pepper spray (contact your local police station for disposal advice, as these items are classed as controlled weapons)
• Printer cartridges
• Radioactive materials (excluding smoke detectors)
• Sharps and needles
• Tyres

Being excluded from the HHW Program does not necessarily mean an item cannot be accepted at the same facility through a separate disposal or recycling service. Check with the facility before visiting.

Sources:

• Waste Authority WA, Household Hazardous Waste Program
• WALGA, Household Hazardous Waste Program
• Paintback, Households and FAQs
• WasteSorted WA, Batteries
• City of Bayswater, Household Hazardous Waste
• City of Vincent, Household Hazardous Waste
• Shire of Mundaring, Household Hazardous Waste
• Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, Household Hazardous Waste Program
• Mindarie Regional Council, Household Hazardous Waste and Paintback
• Household Hazardous Waste Program | Waste Authority WA