Band 4 of 6
Household chemicals and drop-off programs
Household chemicals, batteries, gas bottles and old electronics have drop-off programs of their own, run by state governments and councils, and which one you use depends on where you live. They are worth setting aside before the loading starts: Brisbane City Council warns that hazardous waste disposed of the wrong way can start fires in bins and collection trucks.
General information. Programs, limits and opening days change, so check your council’s or state’s page before you load the car.
Why these come out first
For a skip standing on its public land, Inner West Council’s conditions say no food waste and no dangerous or hazardous waste goes in any bin.
Batteries carry a particular risk. The Queensland Government says batteries crushed or punctured in waste trucks or at recycling facilities can start fires, give off toxic gases and cause acid burns. The lithium-ion kind, which it says can be more volatile than traditional batteries, is in e-scooters, e-bikes, laptops, phones, power tools, toys, electric toothbrushes and cordless vacuums.
Who pays for the drop-off places
In two states, the official pages say where the money comes from. NSW funds its Community Recycling Centres, permanent drop-off centres for household problem wastes that kerbside collections cannot take, from the waste levy. Western Australia’s Household Hazardous Waste Program is funded by the Waste Authority through its waste levy and run by the Western Australian Local Government Association. Band 6 explains the levy in NSW, alongside Victoria, the ACT and the NT.
Queensland
Brisbane City Council’s hazardous waste page lists what its resource recovery centres take on any day, and what waits for its drop-off days.
Batteries anywhere in Queensland
The Queensland Government says never to put batteries or battery-operated devices in your waste or recycling kerbside bins, and to take them to a collection point instead. It points to Recycle Mate to find the nearest one, to B-cycle, which it calls Australia’s official battery recycling scheme, and to your local council. Brisbane City Council adds that a damaged battery, cracked, smashed, swollen or leaking, needs special handling because of the risk of fire and explosion, and should never be stored indoors.
Darwin
The City of Darwin says the safest place for household hazardous waste is the Shoal Bay Transfer Station. Its examples include paint up to 10 litres, gas bottles up to 9.5 kg, car batteries, oils and oil filters, and chemicals, with liquids up to 10 litres.
Household batteries, print cartridges and mobile phones can go to the Civic Centre, the Nightcliff Community Centre or HPA Shoal Bay Trash and Treasure. The council’s reason is short: batteries hold metals that are toxic to people and the environment.
South Australia
Household hazardous waste can go to the depots Green Industries SA runs, a service open to every household.
In the City of Adelaide, e-waste can be collected with a hard waste collection, or taken to a designated recycling depot; the council suggests asking the business whether there is a charge.
Televisions and computers, nationally
Under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, industry-run arrangements decide where and when the drop-off points open; your council, Recycle Mate or Recycling Near You can show you the nearest one.
With these set aside, band 5 turns to loading what is left. Band 1 has the questions for the hirer, including what its bins may not carry.
A skip hire business can tell you what its bins may not carry, and your council can tell you where its nearest drop-off is and what it takes.