Hazardous household waste

In the ACT waste management is controlled by the Environmental Standards: assessment and classification of liquid and non-liquid wastes (PDF 1.85 MB). These standards ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

Hazardous waste in your home

Some common household items can be hazardous to the environment due to their corrosive, flammable or reactive properties.

If misused, accidentally spilled or not disposed of properly, they can cause harm to people and the environment.

Some examples of these items include:

Follow these tips to help you safely use and store items you may use that contain chemicals.

Always:

buy the smallest pack or bottle size you need
check the label on the container is intact and hasn’t expired
read and follow the safety instructions on the label before using
prepare only the amount of chemical you need
use chemicals in a well-ventilated area
always wash hands and remove protective clothing after handling chemicals – especially before eating or drinking
take precautions against potential fire hazards when using flammable, hazardous chemicals.

Never:

use chemicals that have expired
mix chemicals in an area where an accidental spill could get into a stormwater drain.

Always:

avoid having to store or dispose unused chemicals if possible
check the label to see if the chemicals you have can be stored together or not
keep chemicals in their original containers
keep lids tightly closed and containers clearly labelled
check chemical containers frequently for damage such as leaks, deterioration and tears or loose lids
store chemicals such as cleaning agents in a locked cupboard out of the reach of children
store pesticides, pool chemicals and flammable chemicals in a storage shed away from the house.

Never store any chemicals near food storage areas.

The following chemicals are either banned or require a permit:

Search the Recyclopaedia to find where to dispose of hazardous waste by item.

You can also: