Problem waste

Problem waste is waste that can potentially cause harm to human health and the environment. It cannot be disposed of in your red-lidded general waste bin, yellow-lidded recycling bin recycling service or household clean up.

Here we've listed some of the most common problem wastes and disposal options for them. If the item you're looking for isn't here, please see the B informed app.

Car and household batteries

Visit the B-cycle website to find your nearest free drop-off point and a full list of batteries they accept (including batteries for mobile phones, power tools and laptops). Locations include:

Car batteries Household batteries (AA, AAA etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important: Before disposal, please use sticky tape to cover the terminals of the battery and place leaking batteries in a resealable bag.

 

Electronic waste (e-waste) and embedded batteries

A national collection and recycling scheme for televisions, computers and computer accessories is currently in effect under the Product Stewardship Legislation.  The below table lists free drop-off points and some of the items they accept. Visit 'RecyclingNearYou' or RecycleMate to find your nearest drop-off point and a full list of items they will accept.

Drop off points E-waste items accepted
  • Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre
  • Penrith Community Recycling Centre
  • Officeworks (accepted items vary - check with
    your local store)
  • REMONDIS Seven Hills Resource Recovery Facility
  • televisions
  • desktop computers and laptops
  • computer keyboards
  • scanners
  • printers
  • fax machines.

 

Blacktown City residents are also now able to dispose of embedded battery products, including vapes, at the Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre as part of a trial launched by the NSW EPA. The below table lists items accepted. For more details, visit the NSW EPA website. 

Acceptable embedded battery items
  • Electric toothbrushes
  • headphones
  • small rechargeable toys
  • e-readers (Kindle, Kobo etc.)
  • cameras
  • trackers
  • powerpacks/portable
    batteries
  • vacuum cleaners
  • small speakers
  • large speakers
  • earbuds and charging cases
  • e-bikes
  • e-scooters
  • rechargeable tools
  • large rechargeable tools
  • phones
  • vapes.

 

 

 

Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors

These materials can be disposed of free of charge via our mobile community recycling service, or for free at an annual EPA Chemical CleanOut event. For details on upcoming CleanOut events please see the EPA Chemical CleanOut website

These materials can also be disposed of at any time of the year at the following locations:

  • Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre 1 The Driftway, South Windsor
    • phone: 4560 4444 (Hawkesbury City Council)
    • opening hours: 8.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days a week
  • Penrith Community Recycling Centre 
    • Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys
    • phone: 4732 7777 (Penrith City Council)
    • opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 2.00pm and Saturday 8.00am - 12.00pm

 

Fluorescent light globes and tubes

These materials can be picked up free of charge via our mobile community recycling service or disposed of for free at an annual EPA Chemical CleanOut event. For details on upcoming CleanOut events please see the EPA Chemical CleanOut website.

These materials can also be disposed of at any time of the year at the following locations:

  • Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre     
    • 1 The Driftway, South Windsor
    • phone: 4560 4444 (Hawkesbury City Council)
    • opening hours: 8.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days a week
  • Ikea Marsden Park
    • 1 Hollinsworth Road, Marsden Park
    • phone: 8020 6641
  • Penrith Community Recycling Centre 
    • Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys
    • phone: 4732 7777 (Penrith City Council)
    • opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 2.00pm and Saturday 8.00am - 12.00pm

 

Gas cylinders

These materials can be picked up free of charge via our mobile community recycling service or disposed of for free at an annual EPA Chemical CleanOut event. For details on upcoming CleanOut events please see the EPA Chemical CleanOut website.

These materials can also be disposed of at any time of the year at the following locations:

  • ELGAS
    • 22 Holbeche Road, Blacktown
    • phone: 13 11 61
    • per person limit applies
  • Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre  
    • 1 The Driftway, South Windsor
    • phone: 4560 4444 (Hawkesbury City Council)
    • opening Hours: 8.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days a week
  • Penrith Community Recycling Centre 
    • Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys
    • phone: 4732 7777 (Penrith City Council)
    • opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 2.00pm and Saturday 8.00am - 12.00pm

Household quantities (up to 20 kg) of Nitrous Oxide cylinders can be taken for free to Community Recycling Centres. 

 

 

Household chemicals

Household chemicals can only be correctly disposed of for free at an annual EPA Chemical CleanOut event. For details on upcoming CleanOut events please see the EPA Chemical CleanOut website

 

Laser and inkjet printer cartridges

These materials can be disposed of at the following locations:

  • Australia Post (selected stores only)
  • The Good Guys
  • Harvey Norman (selected stores only)
  • JB Hi-Fi
  • Officeworks

Please contact your local store beforehand to confirm they will accept your printer cartridges.

 

Mobile phones

Mobile phones can be recycled through the Mobile Muster program. For more information on the program or to arrange a collection please visit the Mobile Muster website

These materials can also be disposed of at any time of the year at the following locations:

  • Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre  
    • 1 The Driftway, South Windsor
    • phone: 4560 4444 (Hawkesbury City Council)
    • opening hours: 8.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days a week
  • Penrith Community Recycling Centre 
    • Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys
    • phone: 4732 7777 (Penrith City Council)
    • opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 2.00pm and Saturday 8.00am - 12.00pm.

 

Motor oils

These materials can be picked up free of charge via our mobile community recycling service or disposed of for free at an annual EPA Chemical CleanOut event. For details on upcoming CleanOut events please see the EPA Chemical CleanOut website.

These materials can also be disposed of at any time of the year at the following locations:

  • Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre  
    • 1 The Driftway, South Windsor
    • phone: 4560 4444 (Hawkesbury City Council)
    • opening hours: 8.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days a week
  • Penrith Community Recycling Centre
    • Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys
    • phone: 4732 7777 (Penrith City Council)
    • opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 2.00pm and Saturday 8.00am - 12.00pm.

 

Paints

 

These materials can be picked up free of charge via our mobile community recycling service or disposed of for free at an annual EPA Chemical CleanOut event. For details on upcoming CleanOut events please see the EPA Chemical CleanOut website.

Paint can also be disposed of at any time of the year at the following locations:

  • Hawkesbury Community Recycling Centre
    • 1 The Driftway, South Windsor
    • phone: 4560 4444 (Hawkesbury City Council)
    • opening hours: 8.00am - 4.00pm, 7 days a week
  • Penrith Community Recycling Centre 
    • Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys
    • phone: 4732 7777 (Penrith City Council)
    • opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 2.00pm and Saturday 8.00am - 12.00pm.

 

Tyres

 

Tyres can only be disposed of through an authorised agency. Please contact your local tyre dealer or a commercial waste facility to discuss tyre recycling. Fees may apply.

 

 

 

 

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