Any leftover chemicals you have at home, including paints, solvents, pesticides and even cleaning products, should not be put in your household bins. Pouring substances down the drain means they can end up in Sydney Harbour. Help protect our precious marine life by disposing of them correctly and safely.

The safest approach is to take them to one of the severalHousehold Chemical CleanOut events in Sydney, run by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority.

Many chemicals collected on the day are re-used or recycled. Items such as unwanted paints can be used as an alternative fuel for cement kilns and residual gas removed from gas bottles for industrial use. Other chemicals need to be disposed of correctly and safely because toxic elements such as mercury, cadmium and lead could leach into the environment.

What to expect

When you pull up, our team will greet you and our waste experts will collect your items while you wait in your vehicle.

The Bourke Street area can be busy over the weekend. Arrive early to avoid traffic and follow the signs.

We can accept:

solvents and household cleaners
paints and thinners
pesticides and herbicides
poisons
aerosols
pool chemicals
motor oils, fuels and fluids
acids and alkalis
car batteries
household batteries/light globes (These can also be recycled at the City’s Customer Service Centres or libraries at any time)
hobby chemicals such as photographic chemicals
gas bottles
fire extinguishers
fluorescent lamps
smoke alarms
cosmetics and skincare.

Only household (not commercial) quantities are accepted. The maximum container size is 20kg or 20L.

We can’t accept: computers, mobile phones, cameras and other electronic goods. Keep them until the next e-waste drop off day.

Household batteries, mobiles and light bulbs can can be recycled at the City’s Customer Service Centres or libraries at any time.

Not sure how to get rid of these items? Ask Garbage Guru.

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Recycling