Household Hazardous Waste Program

Household hazardous waste (HHW) refers to the products used in and around the home that are flammable, toxic, explosive or corrosive. If not disposed of correctly, HHW can pose a threat to human health and the environment.

The HHW Program provides funding to assist with the storage, transport, treatment and recovery of HHW, collected by the local governments and regional councils listed below. It is funded by the Waste Authority through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Levy, and is administered by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).

This program supports a key headline strategy in the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 Action Plan (Action 1.7).

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program has nine metropolitan and six regional permanent facilities where householders can drop off unwanted household chemicals at no charge.

Permanent collection facilities

Metropolitan

Recycling Centre Balcatta, City of Stirling
Armadale Landfill and Recycling Centre, City of Armadale
Ranford Road Transfer Station, City of Canning
Henderson Waste Recovery Park, City of Cockburn
West Metro Recycling Centre, Western Metropolitan Regional Council
Millar Road Landfill Facility, City of Rockingham
Red Hill Waste Management Facility, Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council
Tamala Park Waste Disposal Facility, Mindarie Regional Council
Fremantle Recycling Centre, City of Fremantle

Non-Metropolitan

Hanrahan Road Landfill, City of Albany
7 Mile Waste Facility and Transfer Station, City of Karratha
Meru Waste Disposal Facility, City of Greater Geraldton
Stanley Road Waste Management Facility, Bunbury Harvey Regional Council
Railway Road Transfer Station, Shire of Toodyay
Waste Management Centre, City of Mandurah

Items that can be dropped off

The HHW Program ONLY accepts domestic waste. There is a limit of 20 kg or 20 L per material type.
The following waste materials are covered under the HHW Program:

Acids and alkalis
Aerosols
Arsenic-based products
Batteries – household (tape terminals)
Batteries – lithium ion (does not include embedded batteries which cannot be removed from the device or electrical vehicle [EV] batteries)
Cyanides
Engine coolants and glycols
Fire extinguishers – non-Halon (red only)
Flammables
Flares
Fluorescent lamps and tubes (CFLs)
Gas cylinders (BBQ and small leisure or camping LPGs, butane canisters and disposable helium cylinders only)
General household chemicals (e.g. cleaners)
Heavy metal compounds
Herbicides
Inorganic oxidising agents (e.g. pool chlorine)
Low-level radioactive substances (e.g. smoke detectors)
Mercury – elemental
Organic peroxides
Paint
PCB materials (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
Pesticides
Solvents – halogenated
Poisons/toxics
Unknown chemicals must be in sealed, chemical-resistant containers.

Items that can't be dropped off

The following waste materials are NOT covered under the HHW Program:

Any material from non-domestic sources (e.g. agricultural, commercial, laboratory, veterinary or industrial waste)
Asbestos
Batteries – lead acid
Containers over 20 kg or 20 L
Cooking oil
e-cigarettes/vapes
Empty chemical containers or drums
EPIRBs or PLBs
EV batteries
Electronic waste or batteries embedded in products
Explosives (other than flares), ammunition or fire arms
Fire extinguishers – halon (yellow)
Medications and pharmaceuticals
Mobile phones (take to a phone retailer for MobileMuster drop off)
Motor oil
Other types of gas cylinders
- Car LPG tanks
- Large gas cylinders (such as 45 kg LPG gas bottles) – contact the manufacturer for return options
- Nitrous oxide canisters, "nangs" of any size
- Other gas chemistries (contact the manufacturer for return options)
- Sodastream canisters (return to purchase locations/contact Sodastream for return options)
- CO₂ cylinders of other types (return to supplier/manufacturer for return options).
Printer cartridges
Sharps and needles
Tyres.

Transporting tips

Safety tips for transporting household hazardous wastes

It is important to take the following precautions when transporting household hazardous wastes:

Always handle hazardous wastes carefully – avoid direct contact with your skin and always wear gloves.
Place hazardous waste containers in plastic tubs or trays to capture any spills or leaks.
Keep corrosive chemicals away from poisons.
Place containers in the corner of your car boot and pack the sides so they will not tip or roll around.
If transporting in a hatchback car, keep at least one window open for ventilation.
If possible, do not transport hazardous wastes with children or animals in the car.
Double wrap old containers in leak-proof plastic bags.
If you have any hazardous wastes with labels that are not readable, and you know the contents, place a note on the container. This will help the council safely dispose of the hazardous waste.
Advise depot staff of any containers with unknown contents.

Disclaimer

The Waste Authority and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation do not own or operate the household hazardous waste facilities listed, nor guarantee or accept any legal liability whatsoever arising from, or connected to, the reliability and completeness of the information provided above.

For further information on the Household Hazardous Waste Program, please contact:

HHW Project Coordinator
Western Australian Local Government Association
ONE70, Level 1, 170 Railway Parade, West Leederville, 6007
PO Box 1544 West Perth WA 6872
Tel: +61 8 9213 2000 Fax: +61 8 9322 2611
Website: www.wastenet.net.au/hhw