Chemical & Hazardous Waste in Sydney — What To Do With It

We’ll be straight with you: myBins does not remove chemical or hazardous waste. That work requires an EPA-licensed contractor, and anyone offering to take paint tins and solvents in a general rubbish load is either licensed for it or shouldn’t be doing it.

What we can do is tell you where it actually goes, because this comes up constantly during garage clean-outs — it’s almost always the one thing we have to leave behind.

What counts as household hazardous waste

Paints and solvents, motor oil and fuels, pesticides and herbicides, pool chemicals, gas bottles, car and household batteries, fluorescent tubes and globes, smoke detectors, and asbestos.

Where it goes instead

Community Recycling Centres

NSW has permanent drop-off centres that accept most household problem waste free of charge, for residents. Check the NSW EPA or your council’s website for your nearest location and what it currently accepts.

Household Chemical CleanOut events

The NSW EPA runs free collection events across Sydney through the year for chemicals that Community Recycling Centres won’t take. Dates and locations change — check the EPA site.

Retailer take-back

Batteries, globes and paint are often accepted by hardware and battery retailers. Paint has a dedicated national scheme in most areas.

Asbestos — do not touch it

Asbestos requires a licensed removalist and cannot go in any bin or general load. If you suspect asbestos in a garage or shed, stop and get it assessed.

What this means for a clean-out with us

We’ll clear everything else and tell you plainly what we’ve left and why. Set the hazardous items aside before we arrive and there’s no delay on the day.