Hazardous waste

Proper disposal of hazardous waste is essential for protecting your health, your community, and the environment. This page explains what’s considered hazardous, how to dispose of it safely, and important new safety updates about lithium-ion batteries.

What is hazardous waste?

Hazardous waste includes household items that can’t go in general rubbish or recycling bins due to health and safety risks posed to humans or the environment.

Common hazardous items:

asbestos
chemicals, such as brake fluid or print toner
batteries
solvents
pesticides
oils (except edible ones), such as car oil
equipment containing ozone depleting substances, like fridges
hazardous waste containers

You can find more information about hazardous waste on the government’s website.

Important fire warning: Lithium-ion batteries

There has been a sharp increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in:

E-bikes
E-scooters
Mobile phones
Vapes
Power banks
Other rechargeable electronics

If these batteries are damaged, overcharged, or thrown in rubbish or recycling bins, they can ignite during collection or processing, causing fires in:

Waste collection trucks
Recycling centres
Residential buildings

What’s changing

To improve safety:

Do not place lithium-ion batteries in rubbish or recycling bins.
Idea Stores will no longer accept battery drop-offs due to fire safety concerns.
Safe disposal options include:
- Northumberland Wharf Reuse and Recycling Centre
- Retailer take-back schemes (available at most supermarkets and electronics stores)
- The Recycle Your Electricals Locator to find safe local options