What is it?
Examples of hazardous waste likely to come from a household are:

• Car batteries
• Engine oil
• Garden chemicals
• Bleach, or other strong cleaners / disinfectants
• Asbestos
• Gas bottles (Please see note below)
• Solvents (including paint strippers/thinners)

Paint itself is not a hazardous household waste but should be handed to the site operator or put into the general household waste skip. Some charities will take reusable paint.

This list is not definitive, and if you have particular concerns about a type of waste you can contact the Environment Agency


What should I do with it?

1. Recycling Centres
All Recycling Centres (RCs) will accept the above items - provided they are from households - except for asbestos.

When disposing of any of these items at an RC please take all due care; hand the item/substance to the Site Operator and follow any relevant instructions at the site.

Do not put these or any uncertain items/substances directly into the skips.

2. District/City Councils
This kind of waste should not be put out with your normal household waste.

If you have any questions in relation to the collection of hazardous household waste please contact your District/City Council.

3. Private Contractors
We have a list of private waste disposal companies' contact details. You will need to contact the company directly to find out if they deal with this kind of waste.