ABC of household chemical waste disposal
Safe chemical waste disposal and pc recycling is integral to the safety, health and well-being of our community and environment. Household and automotive chemical waste items such as unwanted batteries and gas cylinders should never be placed in your usual household waste disposal or recycling bins.
For more information about recycling, see the bottom of the page.
Recommended safe chemical waste disposal solutions
Safe chemical disposal options for most common household and everyday chemical items are listed in the table below. If you cannot find an appropriate chemical disposal solution for a particular product or item in the table, please make direct arrangements with a commercial waste service provider (charges may apply). A list of chemical disposal service providers is provided at the bottom of this page. Alternatively they can be found in the Yellow Pages.Any business seeking to dispose of chemicals used for commercial or industrial purposes should contact a chemical collection service provider (download list at bottom of page or look in the Yellow Pages). The Victorian Waste Management Association can also be contacted for assistance in chemical disposal and waste recycling (see link below).
| Item for disposal | Disposal details |
| Acids and alkalis | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Aerosols | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Ammunition |
Take old ammunition to your local police station. Contact them to discuss safe removal and transport: |
| Anti-freeze | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Asbestos |
EPA Information Centre - 9695 2722 |
| Batteries - automotive | Check with your local council:
Council Waste & Recycling Services Detox Your Home - Mobile service Detox Your Home - Permanent facilities |
| Batteries - household |
Transpacific's Battery Recycling Program SITA Battery Recycling Program |
| Brake fluid | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Car body filler | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Carwax | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Cleaners - ammonia-based, waxes | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Commercial and industrial chemicals |
Check the Yellow Pages under 'waste reduction and disposal services' |
| Computers and accessories | Byteback™ |
| Coolant | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Detergents, disinfectants and drain cleaners | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Farm chemicals containers | drumMUSTER |
| Farm chemicals | ChemClear Program - 1800 008 182 |
| Fertiliser | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Fire extinguishers | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Flares | Contact your local police station |
| Floor-care products and waxes | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Fluorescent tubes and compacts fluorescent globes (CFLs) | |
| Fuels - petrol, diesel, kerosene, other | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Gas cylinders (domestic and leisure cylinders up to 9kg) |
Check with your local council: Council Waste & Recycling Services Various gas cylinder exchange services are available including: Kwik Gas Cylinder Exchange Service - 132 180 Swap'n'Go - 1300 652 003 Supagas - 13 78 72 Bunnings Gas Swap |
| Glues - water-based and solvents | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Haircare product and hair spray | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Herbicides | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Ink cartridges | Cleanaway Close the Loop Program |
| Insect spray/pesticides | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| LPG automotive gas tanks | Unwanted vehicle LPG gas cylinders should be returned to the manufacturer of the tank, the name of which is usually on the cylinder. Arrangements can be made for these to be dropped off or picked up. Where tanks are not labelled, contact Elgas on 131 161 to arrange disposal. |
| Medicines/pharmaceuticals | Return Unwanted Medicines Program |
| Mobile phones | Mobile Muster |
| Mothballs | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Motor oils |
Check with your local council: |
| Nail polish remover | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Paint | |
| Paint thinner, stripper, and turps | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Polish - furniture and shoe | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Pool chemicals | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Oven cleaner | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Rat poison | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Solvents | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Transmission fluid | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
| Wood preservatives and finishes | Detox Your Home - Mobile service |
