A-Z disposal guide

These CANNOT go in your household bins. They contain hazardous and toxic gases, and present a danger when compacted.
This includes gas cylinders used to fill helium party balloons, which must NOT be placed in your recycling bins despite a recyclable symbol appearing on some bottles.

Where suitable:

• Use the ‘Swap and Go’ refill option available at most service stations and hardware stores
• For gas bottles larger than 45 kg contact the supplier directly to have it removed
• For commercial quantities and gas bottles larger than 9kgs, return for recycling/replacement to Elgas.

Empty

OR

Take to a hazardous waste drop-off for free disposal (see below)

Not empty

Take to a hazardous waste drop-off for free disposal:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: (08) 8295 5077
Open 7 days.

OR

Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road
Heathfield
Ph: 08 8339 4323

Open 7 days

Aerosol cans- empty

Including empty aerosol paint cans.
Please make sure container is empty & remove the plastic lid.

 Empty aerosol cans - put in the yellow/recycling bin.

Aerosol cans - NOT empty

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Household chemicals and paints can be dangerous if they are not stored or disposed of safely and also please be aware that Hazardous Wastes cannot be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment.

Need to get rid of unwanted paint tins, batteries, chemicals, and other hazardous household waste for FREE? You'll be pleased to know that there are now 2 permanent drop off sites open 7 days a week.

Plympton

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road, North Plympton 

Open hours: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 10am–3pm

Heathfield

Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road, Heathfield

Open hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am–4pm, weekends 9am–4pm.

What do they accept?

Hazardous waste products are banned from landfill and require special disposal processing. These include:

• garden chemicals – pesticides,herbicides and fungicides
• insect repellents and rat poison
• cleaners – oven cleaner, toilet cleaner, bleach, ammonia and furniture polish
• automotive products – fuel, oils, lubricants and degreasers
• home improvement products – paints*, thinners and adhesives, batteries, and pool chlorine.

Please note: NO decanting allowed on site. Use original containers where possible.

*Paint can also be dropped off at Hackham Recyclers for free as part of the national Paintback program.

For more information visit www.greenindustries.sa.gov.au/hazwaste

View our online Recycling & Disposal Guide for safe disposal of unwanted items.

Including, but not limited to: lawnmowers, whipper snippers, edge trimmers etc.

If it's in working condition consider giving it away, swapping or selling it.

OR

Electric mower / garden tool

• drop-off at an Unplug N’Drop hub for free e-waste recycling
  please ensure the mower handle is folded down and compact before placing it in the drop-off cage.

OR

• Contact a scrap metal recycler.

Fuel-powered mower / garden tool

Remove all fuel and oil – these will need to be used or disposed of as hazardous waste.

Contact a scrap metal recycler.

Push mower

Contact a scrap metal recycler.

Ride-on mower

Remove all fuel and oil – these will need to be used or disposed of as hazardous waste.

Contact a scrap metal recycler.

This CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Mercury is a highly toxic silver liquid metal that ‘shatters' into tiny balls, so take great care when cleaning it up.

The poisonous vapour is the main threat. Mercury can become quite a potent neurotoxin which affects human and animal health.
When products containing dangerous amounts go to landfill, they can easily contaminate the groundwater and release toxic compound.

In the home, mercury may typically be found in the following:

• hand-held thermometers (not generally available anymore)
• ambient outside temperature thermometers
• compact fluorescent lamps (CFL or fluoro light globe)
• desk mounted sphygmomanometers (used to monitor blood pressure)
• barometers.

If containing mercury, you can take these items to a FREE hazardous waste drop-off at:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: 08 8295 5077

Open: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 10am–3pm.

OR

Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road
Heathfield
Ph: 08 8339 4323

Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am–4pm, weekends 9am–4pm.

In the case that you have a mercury spill:

If the spill is major, do not clean it by yourself. Contact the Fire Department – call 000.

But if it is something that can easily be handled alone, then do the following steps:

1. People and animals should leave the area immediately, staying clear ideally for a day whilst ventilating the area in the process.
2. Wear proper protection such as heavy-duty gloves and boots to pick up glass shards. Afterwards, wrap them properly in a paper towel whilst also sealing the paper towel afterwards in a zip-lock bag.
3. Find the mercury content (dim the area to more easily locate). Then you can apply sulphur powder (available at pharmacies) and wait for 30 minutes to neutralise the mercury. Make sure the mercury residue is gone and collect by brushing.
4. Put the mercury content in a plastic bag, along with your gloves and any collection materials used and throw it into your household waste bin
5. if the mercury has spilt onto carpet, clothing or upholstery, the contaminated part needs to be removed and disposed of.

Mercury that cannot be stabilised by sulphur powder or is stored in a jar is a hazardous waste and can only be disposed at a Hazardous Waste site.

When cleaning up mercury spills

• Do not use the vacuum cleaner or a broom to sweep up the mercury. Both of these can break the mercury into smaller beads and may spread the spill even further. The heat from the vacuum motor may also cause the mercury to volatise (evaporate into fumes), which will further spread traces of mercury around your home.
• Do not machine wash clothing that may have absorbed mercury with the normal laundry. Throw away contaminated clothing if possible, or wash clothing separately in a bucket.
• Do not pour mercury directly down the sink.

Whipped cream bulbs (aka Nitrous oxide nangs)

Empty

Contact a scrap metal recycler.

OR

Take to a hazardous waste drop-off for free disposal:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: (08) 8295 5077
Open 7 days.

Not empty

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Take to a hazardous waste drop-off for free disposal:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: (08) 8295 5077
Open 7 days.

SodaStream gas cylinder

Return or swap empty for full cylinders at any participating retailer. Take your empty with you and scan it at the register to claim a discount on the full cylinder.

For participating store visit SodaStream Store Locator.

Including, but not limited to: herbicides, pesticides, methylated spirits / kerosene, coolant, diesel/petrol, cleaners, thermometers, nail polish and remover, paint strippers/thinners, poisons, acids, fertilisers, gypsum, lubricants etc.

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Fuels, paints and household chemicals can be dangerous if they are not stored or disposed of safely and also please be aware that Hazardous Wastes cannot be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment.

You can take your unwanted paint and household chemicals to:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: 08 8295 5077

Open: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 10am–3pm.

OR

Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road
Heathfield
Ph: 08 8339 4323

Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am–4pm, weekends 9am–4pm.

This material CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Asbestos is dangerous. Please refer to Asbestos SA & EPA for help depending on your situation.

If asbestos is being removed or disturbed, call SafeWork SA at 1300 365 255.

Report any asbestos or hazardous materials in public areas to the council at 8384 0666.

Fibrocement - asbestos fibre

This material CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Asbestos is dangerous. Please refer to Asbestos SA & EPA for help depending on your situation.

If asbestos is being removed or disturbed, call SafeWork SA at 1300 365 255.

Report any asbestos or hazardous materials in public areas to the council at 8384 0666.

Fibrocement - cellulose fibre

Contact a waste to landfill site.

Household batteries

These CANNOT go into your household bins or to landfill.

Batteries, especially lithium-ion and button batteries, can cause fires and harm the environment if disposed of in the waste or recycling bins.

These include batteries from electrical equipment, toys, laptops, power tools and hearing aids.

Drop off eligible household batteries for free. Collection points include

• Supermarkets – ALDI, Coles, Drakes, Foodland, IGA, Woolworths
• Hardware stores – Bunnings, Mitre 10, Tool Kit Depot, Total Tools
• Other - Battery World, Big W, Good Guys and select City of Onkaparinga offices and libraries.

Use the B-cycle website to find the closest drop-off point near you.

Commercial quantities

Businesses can order a recycling bucket for your office or worksite (fees may/may not apply under the national Battery Stewardship Scheme).

• Batteries 4 Planet Ark Recycling Buckets
• EcoCycle Recycling Buckets

Search online for other commercial collection services available.

Mobile phone batteries

These CANNOT go into your household bins or to landfill.

Mobile phones, their batteries and accessories can be recycled for FREE.

• drop them off at a MobileMuster collection point
• drop them in a Woolworths / EcoBatt battery recycling bin
• post them in using a free recycling satchel from Australia Post
• download a free reply-paid label from the MobileMuster website
• check if your local school/charity is collecting old phones as a fundraiser.

Before you recycle, please delete all personal information from the phone and remove the SIM card.

Lithium-ion batteries

These CANNOT go into your household bins or to landfill.

These include batteries contained in phones, tablets, power banks, computers, toys, appliances and tools, as well as mobility equipment such as electric bikes and scooters.

• If you can easily take out the lithium battery by hand, cover the terminals with non-conductive tape like clear sticky tape. You can then take these taped batteries to Household Battery drop-off points at Aldi, Bunnings, Coles, IGA, Foodland, and Woolworths.
• If the battery is difficult to remove or built into the product, don’t try to take it out. Instead, recycle the whole item as e-waste. Check your nearest e-waste drop-off location.
• E-bike and e-scooter batteries less than 5kg and energy storage batteries can be dropped off at select locations only. Use the B-cycle website to find the closest drop-off point near you.
• E-cigarettes and vapes also have lithium batteries and a heating part, which can easily catch fire in kerbside bins. These should be recycled as e-waste item. 

Lead acid batteries

These CANNOT go into your household bins or to landfill.

These include batteries from cars, motorbikes & other vehicles, NBN and power/lighting backup systems.

All used sealed lead-acid batteries are classified as hazardous waste and must be recycled by a specialist battery recycler.

• Contact a scrap metal recycler.
  Most will pay a few dollars for lead-acid batteries

OR

• Supercheap Auto accept lead-acid car batteries for a free lead acid battery recycling service.
  Note – no lithium batteries accepted

Emergency & Exit Lighting batteries

These CANNOT go into your household bins or to landfill.

Most systems in Australia    use Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) or  Sealed Lead Acid Batteries. All contain hazardous materials and must be recycled by a specialist battery recycler.

• Find your nearest ExitCycle drop off point for Exit Lighting batteries.

What to do if a battery catches fire

If a battery or device starts to smoke or catch fire, follow these steps:

• Get Everyone Out
  • Evacuate the area immediately. If it’s safe, close doors to slow the fire's spread, and make sure no one goes back inside.
    Battery smoke and fumes are very dangerous and shouldn’t be breathed in.
• Call Emergency Services
  • Dial Triple Zero (000) and wait in a safe place until Emergency Services arrive.
• Seek Medical Help if Exposed

If anyone has been exposed to spilled battery chemicals, smoke, or flames, get medical help right away.
For burns, rinse with cool running water for 20 minutes.

Burns larger than a 20-cent piece need emergency care, so call Triple Zero (000) and follow the operator’s advice.

Liquid wax

e.g. car wax, floor wax are chemical (hazardous) wastes.

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.
See Chemicals.

Candle

Most modern candles are made from paraffin wax, beeswax, soy or palm wax If unable to reuse or recycle remaining wax at home, put it in the red/waste to landfill bin.

Surfboard wax

Surfboard wax can be removed and recycled – visit Surfer Today for a DIY guide

OR

Put it in the red/waste to landfill bin

See also: Boxes, baskets and crates (for waxed cardboard box), Waxed paper.

Empty 

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Contact a scrap metal recycler– please note that fees / cylinder preparation may apply

If you are unable to find a waste transfer station or waste depot that will take them contact the supplier. They may accept used extinguishers or provide advice on disposal. The supplier's details can usually be found on the extinguisher itself.

Not empty

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Take to a hazardous waste drop-off for free disposal:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: (08) 8295 5077
Open 7 days.

This is a hazardous waste - this CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Expired hand sanitiser will still have flammable properties, even if some of the alcohol has evaporated. For this reason, it is vital to dispose of expired hand sanitiser responsibly. Do not pour it down the drain.

You can take sanitiser and other unwanted household chemicals to:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
8295 5077

Open: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 10am–3pm.

OR

Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road
Heathfield
8339 4323

Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am–4pm, weekends 9am–4pm.

Digital (stick)

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill. They require batteries so are classified as e-waste:

• drop-off at an Unplug N’Drop hub for free e-waste recycling
• contact a scrap metal merchant.

Food / Meat (Bimetal)

Contact a scrap metal recycler.

Food (pop-up)

Put it in the red/waste to landfill bin.

Liquid crystal / strip / magnetic

These are colour-based thermometers and used for a variety of applications e.g. for medical, aquariums, homebrewing, etc.

Put it in the red/waste to landfill bin.

Mercury

IMPORTANT - Mercury is a dense poisonous metal. Please handle this type of thermometer with great care.

Dispose of as hazardous waste. See the Mercury entry for disposal details.

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Fuels, paints and household chemicals can be dangerous if they are not stored or disposed of safely and also please be aware that Hazardous Wastes cannot be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment.

You can take your unwanted paint and household chemicals to:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: 08 8295 5077

Open: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 10am–3pm.

OR

Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road
Heathfield
Ph: 08 8339 4323

Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am–4pm, weekends 9am–4pm.

These CANNOT go in your household bins or to landfill.

Fuels, paints and household chemicals can be dangerous if they are not stored or disposed of safely and also please be aware that Hazardous Wastes cannot be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment.

You can take your unwanted paint and household chemicals to:

Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road
North Plympton
Ph: 08 8295 5077

Open: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 10am–3pm.

OR

Heathfield Resource Recovery Centre
32 Scott Creek Road
Heathfield
Ph: 08 8339 4323

Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am–4pm, weekends 9am–4pm.