HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Find out what household hazardous waste is, where to safely dispose of it, and how to recycle specific items such as batteries, globes, mobile phones and ink cartridges.
About household hazardous waste
Household hazardous waste includes unwanted products that contain chemicals or substances that can harm people, pets or the environment.
Common examples include paints, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, cleaning products, gas cylinders, batteries, flammables and unknown liquids.
These items must not be placed in kerbside bins because they can cause fires, leak harmful substances and put waste collection staff and recycling facilities at risk.
The WA Household Hazardous Waste Program, funded by the Waste Authority, provides free drop-off sites across the metropolitan area for residents to safely dispose of these materials.
Through the program, disposal sites accept 20kg or 20 litres per material type.
The program is for household (domestic) waste only (no commercial waste accepted).
Hazardous waste disposal sites
You can drop accepted household hazardous waste at any of the program’s free disposal sites.
The closest locations for City of Vincent residents are:
Visit your chosen facility’s website to check its address, opening hours and any disposal requirements before you go.
For a list of all disposal sites, visit WA Recycle Right – Find My Nearest.
Accepted hazardous items and material
Examples of materials accepted through the Household Hazardous Waste Program include:
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- Gas cylinders (small household)
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- Household chemicals and cleaners
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- Engine coolants and glycols
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- Pesticides and herbicides
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- Fire extinguishers (non-halon, red only)
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- Fluorescent lamps and tubes (CFLs)
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- Unknown chemicals (sealed in chemical-resistant containers).
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For the full list of accepted materials and all participating sites, visit the WasteNet Household Hazardous Waste Program.
Asbestos disposal
Asbestos is classified as a Type 1 special waste and must only be taken to disposal sites licensed to accept it, including:
Visit your chosen facility’s website to check its address, opening hours and any disposal requirements before you go.
For more information about Asbestos removal and safety, visit our Asbestos page.
Recycling stations for small hazardous waste items
The City provides several recycling stations where you can drop off small hazardous or hard-to-recycle household items such as batteries, mobile phones, blister packs, light globes, goggles and ink cartridges.
These stations are available at:
| Location |
Address |
Accepted items |
| City of Vincent Library |
99 Loftus Street, Leederville |
Light globes, ink cartridges, blister packs, battery drop-off |
| Beatty Park Leisure Centre |
220 Vincent Street, Leederville |
Light globes, ink cartridges, goggles, battery drop-off |
| Hawaiian’s Mezz Shopping Centre |
148 Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn |
Light globes, ink cartridges, batteries (Woolworths B-Cycle unit) |
| North Perth Plaza Shopping Centre |
391 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth |
Light globes, ink cartridges, batteries (Coles battery unit) |
| Woolworths Highgate |
80 Bulwer Street, Highgate |
Light globes, ink cartridges, batteries (Woolworths B-Cycle unit) |
How to recycle specific items
Batteries
Batteries must never be placed in kerbside bins as they can cause fires in waste trucks and recycling facilities. When batteries enter landfill, they can leach harmful chemicals into soil and waterways.
Where to take your batteries:
- City of Vincent recycling stations (listed above)
- B-Cycle or EcoBatt drop off points.
Batteries are processed so metals and components can be recovered and used to make new products such as batteries, streetlights, car parts and steel frames.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones contain harmful substances such as cadmium and lead, as well as valuable metals like gold, silver and copper.
Where to take youjr mobile phones and accessories:
Ink cartridges
Ink cartridges can often be refilled and reused.
Where to take empty ink cartridges:
Accepted items include ink and laser cartridges, toner bottles, drum kits and fax rolls.
Recovered materials are turned into products such as TonerPlas, used in road construction, and eWood, a durable timber alternative.
Goggles
Goggles can be dropped off to the City of Vincent’s recycling station at Beatty Park.
Goggles collected are sent to Teracycle.
Materials such as silicone, rubber and plastic are separated, cleaned and recycled into new products including playground surfaces, outdoor furniture and sporting goods.
Blister packs (pill packets)
Empty blister packs can be dropped off at:
- Chemist Warehouse North Perth (412 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth)
- Caring Pharmacy North Perth (372 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth)
- The City of Vincent Library recycling hub (99 Loftus Street, Leederville)
Blister packs are shredded, separated into aluminium and plastic, cleaned and processed into new manufacturing materials.
Light bulbs
Light globes contain materials that can be safely recovered through recycling, including glass, metals and small amounts of mercury. They should not be placed in kerbside bins.
Fluorescent globes and CFLs are accepted through the Household Hazardous Waste Program. You can take them to the disposal centres listed above.
Car batteries
Old car batteries can be dropped off for free at any REPCO store.
Visit the REPCO store locator for locations, or REPCO Know-How for more information on battery recycling.