Household hazardous waste
Household hazardous waste includes everyday products such as bleach, oven cleaners, mineral turpentine and paints that you get from the supermarket or hardware store.
These materials can be flammable, corrosive, explosive or toxic. It's important to store all hazardous materials securely and treat them with care.
If you put them in your wheelie bin, you are creating a hazard for waste collectors, sorters and the environment.
If you store household chemicals around your home after you no longer need them, you could:
- injure or poison someone if they drink the chemicals, inhale their fumes or are burnt by them
- endanger yourself and your property if chemicals ignite, explode or release toxic fumes in the event of fire
- be fined for damaging the environment if the chemicals leak when they are being stored or handled
Household hazardous waste disposal
You can check the safe disposal methods table below to find out how to safely dispose of household hazardous waste.
Brisbane City Council is providing assistance to residents affected by the January 2011 flood, in the disposal of hazardous waste. Find out how to organise removal of hazardous waste.
Transfer station drop off
The following items can be dropped off at Council transfer stations during the opening times:
- paint
- used mineral engine oil
- empty LPG gas bottles
- batteries (lead acid only)
- electronic waste
- compact fluorescents
- aerosols
A 20 litre limit for each chemical or product applies. Normal transfer station fees apply or you can use your general waste vouchers. This only applies to residents. All commercial operators must comply with relevant waste disposal regulations.
Free drop off days
Brisbane residents can drop off the items indicated in the safe disposal methods table below for free on designated collection days. Items must remain in their original containers and not be mixed. A 20 litre limit for each chemical or product applies. This service is for Brisbane residents only. All commercial operators must comply with relevant waste disposal regulations.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 2 June 2012 | 8am - 3pm | Willawong Transfer Station Sherbrooke Road, Willawong |
Safe disposal methods for household hazardous waste table
| Material | Sewer* | Transfer station | Rubbish bin* | Free drop off days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bathroom products | ||||
Aftershaves, perfumes and other lotions | yes | no | no | no |
Bathroom cleaners and disinfectants | yes | no | no | no |
Hair care products | yes | no | no | no |
Medicines (past use by date) | yes | no | no | no |
Kitchen products | ||||
Cooking oil | no | no | yes | no |
Insect sprays | no | no | no | yes |
Drain cleaner/disinfectant | yes | no | no | no |
Floor care products | no | no | yes | yes |
Metal polish with solvent | no | no | yes | yes |
Window and ammonia based cleaners | yes | no | no | no |
Garage | Sewer* | Transfer station | Rubbish bin* | Free drop off days |
Antifreeze | yes | no | no | no |
Car batteries | no | yes | no | yes |
Brake fluid | no | no | no | yes |
Motor oils, sump oil and gear oil (maximum 20 litres) | no | yes | no | yes |
Petrol and marine fuel | no | no | no | yes |
Windshield washer solution | yes | no | no | no |
Garden | ||||
Fungicide/insecticide | no | no | no | yes |
Herbicides and weed killers | no | no | no | yes |
Other | Sewer* | Transfer station | Rubbish bin* | Free drop off days |
Paints and mediums (maximum 20 litres) | no | yes | yes | yes |
Dry-cleaning solvents | no | no | no | yes |
Fibreglass resins | no | no | yes | yes |
Gas cylinders (BBQ size, maximum of six 9kg bottles) | no | yes | no | yes |
Swimming pool chemicals | no | no | no | yes |
Photographic chemicals | no | no | no | yes |
Smoke detectors | no | no | yes | yes |
Fire extinguishers | no | no | no | yes |
| Compact fluorescent light bulbs | no | yes | no | yes |
*Sewer - after mixing the chemical with lots of water, you can put small quantities of these products down the sewer (through your toilet or sink). Never put these chemicals into septic tanks or down stormwater drains because they will harm the environment.
*Rubbish bin - you can only put small amounts of household hazardous waste in your rubbish bin. Small amounts of liquid, such as paint, can be dried and solidified by adding a material to soak up the liquid such as kitty litter, soil or grass clippings. Alternatively, pour liquids onto newspaper and cover them with absorbent material. Empty paint tins with minimal paint residue can be recycled and placed in your recycled bin.
More information
If you have questions about hazardous waste, contact Council.
For trade waste, contact Queensland Urban Utilities.
