Introduction
Some waste produced from the home is classed as hazardous waste and more care and attention is needed to recycle or dispose of it.
Ask recycling site staff if you are unsure whether items you are disposing of should be considered hazardous.
Items classed as hazardous include:
- Antifreeze
- Asbestos
- Car batteries
- Car tyres
- DIY and garden chemicals
- Electrical items, such as fridges, freezers, computer monitors.
- Engine oil
- Fire extinguishers (domestic only, charges may apply as per gas bottle rates)
- Gas containers (charges apply)
- Household batteries
- Lead-based paint
- Low energy light bulbs and fluorescent tubes (see below for more information)
- Paint thinners
- Plasterboard
- Plastic oil tank
- Solvents
This is not a comprehensive list.
Also, see advice on Japanese Knotweed, Common Ragwort and on Chalara dieback of ash trees.
All recycling sites accept
- Household chemicals including gardening, DIY and engine fluids
- Low energy light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- Car batteries, engine oil and tyres (charges apply)
- Household batteries, toner cartridges and mobile phones
- Electrical items
- Gas containers (charges apply) – Empty gas cylinders or oxygen bottles can be returned to the original supplier or manufacturer.
Not accepted or require special handling
- Ammunition and explosives
- Asbestos
- Fireworks
- Medicines
- Mercury
- Petrol and Diesel (fuel must be removed from all machinery intended for recycling)
- Plastic oil tank (oil must be removed before taking tank to recycling site)
- Roofing felt containing bitumen
- Storage heaters
You can find more guidance below.
Low energy light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
Some retailers have collection points for low energy light bulbs. See Recycle Now or Recolight for local details.
Unbroken low energy bulbs and fluorescent tubes
They should be taken at the site and there is no need to wrap or bag. The bulbs need to be placed in the ‘low energy bulb’ bin.
Broken low energy bulbs and fluorescent tubes
Handle broken bulbs with care as they contain mercury. It is good practice to minimise unnecessary exposure to mercury, as well as the risk of cuts from glass fragments. A vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up a broken bulb or tube. Health Protection Agency advice is to:
- Ventilate the room (15 minutes is suggested).
- Place fragments in a plastic bag (you may wish to wear rubber gloves). The bag doesn’t need to be air tight but should be reasonably sturdy.
- Wipe the area with a damp cloth, and then place that in the bag.
- Sticky tape (for example, duct tape or similar) can be used to pick up small residual pieces or powder from soft furnishings. The tape can then be placed in the bag.
- Double bag by sealing the bag and placing it in another similar bag and sealing that one as well.
When double bagged and sealed, the broken bulb can be taken to be put in the low energy light bulb bins at recycling centres. Please take care that glass fragments do not cut the sealed bags or your fingers.
Ammunition and explosives
Fireworks
Medicines
Mercury
Petrol and diesel
Plastic oil tanks
Roofing felt
Storage heaters