A combination of recyclable and non-recyclable items banner image

A - Z of recycling and waste disposal

This page will help you determine the best way to dispose of unwanted items and identify what can be recycled or recovered.

If you prefer, you can download a printable version:

Hazardous or tricky waste items

Here are some common waste items you might be looking for:

A-Z guide

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Acids and alkalis+

Label clearly and store at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

Aerosol cans (empty)+

Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Aluminium cans, aluminium foil+

Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Animal droppings+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities.

Asbestos+

Accepted at Surf Beach and Brou Waste Management Facilities.

  • Asbestos waste must be wet down, wrapped in thick plastic (or double wrapped in plastic) and taped down.
  • Bookings are essential, contact our waste management facilities to arrange a time to dispose of asbestos waste.
  • At the landfill, unload the asbestos in a manner that does not tear the plastic to avoid dust and fibres escaping.
  • Visit our public health page on asbestos for more information.

Removing friable or loose asbestos

  • Friable or loose asbestos can only be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist with a friable asbestos licence.
  • Refer to SafeWork NSW's website for a list of available licensed holders.

To protect yours and your family's health, and to avoid costly fines or clean-up costs, you must follow the legal and safety requirements for managing asbestos.

Before commencing any home maintenance work or renovation, visit the Asbestos Awareness website for important information and guidance.

Removing bonded asbestos

  • If you use appropriate safety precautions, you are permitted to remove a maximum of 10m2 of bonded asbestos from your home in New South Wales.
  • If removing more than 10m2, you must hire a qualified asbestos removalist or obtain a SafeWork NSW bonded asbestos removal licence.

Handling and disposing of removed bonded asbestos

Asbestos is classified as a hazardous material. There are strict guidelines about how it should be packaged and transported and where it can be disposed of.

Once bonded asbestos products have been safely removed and to minimise the release of dust and fibres, you should:

  • wet the asbestos waste and keep it damp to prevent dust. Don't use too much water and ensure water does not run off into drains
  • wrap the asbestos in thick plastic (or double wrap in plastic), secure with tape and clearly label as asbestos.

Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at landfills licensed to accept such waste. In the Eurobodalla, asbestos waste can only be disposed of at Brou and Surf Beach waste management facilities. Please contact Brou or Surf Beach landfill to arrange a time to dispose of the asbestos - at least 24 hours' notice must be given to the landfill prior to disposal.

At the landfill, please unload the asbestos in a manner that does not tear the plastic to avoid dust and fibres escaping.

Find out more

If you need more information, please contact our Public and Environmental Health Team:

B

Batteries (car)+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

Batteries (household)+

Never put household batteries into your recycling or general waste bins as they can spark and ignite causing fires in collection vehicles and at waste facilities.

Instead, bring household batteries to:

Battery recycling

Batteries are a common form of household hazardous waste and can be found in just about everything we use today.

You should never put household batteries into your recycling or general waste bins as they can spark and ignite causing fires in collection vehicles and at waste facilities.

Batteries can be fully recycled, and Council has partnered with B-cycle to ensure the safe and effective recycling of batteries in Eurobodalla.

Books+

Donate to charity or second hand book stores, or place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Bottles (plastic/glass)+

Clean green, brown and clear glass bottles and jars can be placed in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Bricks+

Accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities).

Broken glass+

  • Broken glass from windows and mirrors is accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities.
  • Small amounts can be placed in your red lidded garbage bin (wrapped and bagged).
  • Glass bottles can go into your yellow lidded recycling bin.

Bubble wrap+

  • You can take bubble wrap to any of Council's three waste facilities and put in the designated 'soft plastics' bins.
  • We will then transport the soft plastics for recycling.

Please don't put soft plastics into your yellow-lidded recycling bin. Soft plastics are not a part of regular household recycling collection.

Building materials+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities).

C

Cardboard+

Clean cardboard (not wax-coated) can be placed in your yellow lidded recycling bin, compost bin, worm farm, and is accepted at all waste management facilities.

Carpet+

Accepted at all waste management facilities, and carpet rolls up to 1.5m wide will be accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection.

Cars+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities).

Chemical containers (drumMUSTER)+

Deliver empty, clean eligible containers to local drumMUSTER collection sites for free at:

  • Surf Beach Waste Management Facility, George Bass Drive, Surf Beach - T: 02 4471 2462
  • Brou Waste Management Facility, Brou Lake Road, Dalmeny - T: 02 4476 8310
  • Moruya Transfer Station, Yarragee Road, Moruya - T: 02 4474 5924.

drumMUSTER accepts eligible, non-returnable metal or plastic containers ranging from one litre/kilogram to 220 litres/kilograms.

Bookings are required for more than 20 containers deposited.

Containers must be:

  • rinsed
  • free of any visible chemical residue
  • clean and dry (including threads and caps)
  • punctured if they are metal
  • free of lids.

Look for the drumMUSTER logodrumMUSTER container logo

Chemical containers from participating manufacturers will display the drumMUSTER eligible container logo either as a sticker or embossed onto the wall of the container.

You can deliver empty, clean containers that display this logo to one of 814 national collection sites free of charge.

If the container does not have a logo, it may be because the manufacturer has opted out of the program. Alternatively, the container does not fall under the drumMUSTER eligibility criteria (ie, not eligible for collection).

More information

drumMUSTER is the national program for the collection and recycling of eligible empty, clean, non-returnable metal and plastic AgVet chemical containers.

The program is funded through a fee applied to eligible farm chemical containers contributed by participating chemical manufacturers.

drumMUSTER products are recycled into useful everyday items such as street signs, irrigation piping, plant stakes and outdoor furniture.

Chemicals+

Label clearly and store at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

Chip packets+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Cleaning products+

Label clearly and store cleaning products at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

Cleaners that contain solvents can become a hazard to the environment. This can include some spot removers, floor and car waxes, furniture polishes, and degreasers.

Your cleaners contain solvents if any of these warnings are on the product labels:

  • flammable
  • combustible
  • contains petroleum distillates or aromatic hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons.

Cleaners that contain solvents should never be disposed of down a drain, in the garbage bin or down the toilet.

If you don't want to wait for the annual chemical clean out, the best way to get rid of cleaners containing solvents is to use them up or give them to someone else to use. Friends, relatives and community organisations may have a use for your leftover cleaners.

Cling wrap+

  • You can take cling wrap to any of Council's three waste facilities and put in the designated 'soft plastics' bins.
  • We will then transport the soft plastics for recycling.

Please don't put soft plastics into your yellow-lidded recycling bin. Soft plastics are not a part of regular household recycling collection.

Clothing/textiles+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Free textiles drop-off postponed

  • From 10 January 2025, Eurobodalla waste facilities no longer accept clothing and textiles for free.
  • Council had previously partnered with Upcycle 4 Better for textiles recovery. This agreement has been cancelled.
  • We are working on an alternate solution to keep textiles out of landfill.
  • For now, any textiles dropped off at Council's waste facilities will incur a charge and will be sent to landfill (not reused or recycled).

What was accepted

  • sheets
  • doona covers
  • pillowcases
  • towels
  • face cloths
  • tea towels
  • tablecloths
  • shoes
  • soft toys
  • underwear
  • clothes

What wasn't accepted

  • wool and acrylic items
  • waterproof mattress protectors
  • plastic coated aprons and tablecloths
  • pillows and doonas
  • unwashed items

More information

Coffee cups+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Computers and accessories+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

Concrete+

Accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities.

Cooking oil+

Cooking oil (but not bio-diesel residue) is accepted at any waste management facility free of charge.

Cosmetics/make up+

Label clearly and store make up products at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

  • Some cosmetics and most perfumes and fragrances are flammable. These cosmetics should never be poured down the drain, thrown in the garbage bin or flushed down a toilet.
  • You should never smoke while spraying perfume.

If you don't want to wait for the annual chemical clean out, the best way to get rid of leftover cosmetics is to use them up or give them to someone who can use them.

Crockery+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

D

Dead animals+

Accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities.

Disposable nappies+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Drums (empty)+

Empty, eligible agricultural and veterinary chemical drums are accepted at all waste management facilities as part of the drumMuster program.

  • Bookings are required for more than 20 drums.
  • Drums must be rinsed free of any visible chemical residue, be clean and dry, punctured if they are metal, and all lids must be removed upon delivery.

DVD players+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

E

Electronic equipment+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

Exercise equipment+

Accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection and at all waste management facilities, free of charge.

F

Fertilisers+

Label clearly and store at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

Fire extinguishers+

Domestic quantities are accepted free of charge at:

Flares+

Transport for NSW run a mobile collection program for unused or out of date marine flares.

Fluorescent tubes+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

Fridges+

Accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection and at all waste management facilities, free of charge.

Fruit/vegetable scraps+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Fuel+

Label clearly and store at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

Furniture+

Accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection and at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities, and some charities may accept as a donation if clean and in good condition.

G

Garden waste+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your green lidded garden organics bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

You can also bring environmental weeds to our regular plant swaps to exchange them for free native plants.

Gas cylinders+

Domestic quantities are accepted free of charge at:

H

Hot water systems+

Accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection and at all waste management facilities, free of charge.

I

Ink cartridges+

Bring to:

J

Jars (plastic/glass)+

Clean green, brown and clear glass bottles and jars can be placed in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

K

Kitty litter+

Bag and place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities.

L

Lawn clippings+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your green lidded garden organics bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Lids (larger than a credit card)+

Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (large lids can be recycled, and are accepted at all waste management facilities).

Lids (smaller than a credit card)+

Either:

  • push the lid inside the plastic container it came with and place the container in your yellow lidded recycling bin
    OR
  • place the lid on its own in your red lidded garbage bin

Accepted at all waste management facilities, small lids can be recycled if they are contained.

M

Magazines+

Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Matresses+

Accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities.

Meat trays (foam)+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Medicines/medications+

  • You can return your old and unwanted medicines to any pharmacy for free and safe disposal.
  • Medications are also accepted at Council's annual chemical clean out.
  • Do not dispose of prescription medication in a place where children or pets could access them.
  • Chemotherapy medications should never be poured down the drain, thrown in the garbage bin or flushed down a toilet.

Milk containers (and their lids)+

Push the lid into the empty container, and place plastic milk containers in your yellow lidded recycling bin (containers are accepted at all waste management facilities, and lids under a certain size can still be recycled if they are contained).

Mobile phones+

Bring to:

Motor oil+

Oil is a valuable resource that can be recycled. Recycled motor oil can be burnt as an industrial fuel or cleaned and reused.

To dispose of motor oil, pour the used motor oil into a container (the container you bought the new oil in works well), seal and label it, then take it to any waste management facility, free of charge (empty motor oil containers also accepted):

  • Surf Beach Waste Management Facility: George Bass Drive, Surf Beach.
  • Moruya Transfer Station: Yarragee Road, Moruya.
  • Brou Waste Management Facility: Brou Lake Road, Dalmeny.

Never mix solvents, fuels, petrol or engine coolant with used motor oil. Once contaminated with these products, it is difficult or impossible to recycle used motor oil.

Do not put used motor oil in the garbage

Millions of litres of used motor oil are improperly disposed of each year in Australia.

  • Used motor oil contains pollutants, including organic chemicals and metals.
  • When disposed of improperly - in the garbage, on the ground or in the sewer system - the pollutants may reach lakes, rivers or the underground water system.
  • It is illegal to put oil into the sewer system or anywhere on the land, including spreading oil on roads to suppress dust.

N

Needles/syringes (sharps)+

Use Council's free and safe disposal service for diabetic needles, lancets (finger prickers), pen needles and sharps, including those used for pet and livestock.

Sharps are accepted at our annual chemical clean out, and at Community Health sharps disposal bins at:

  • Batemans Bay Community Health Centre, 7 Pacific Street, Batemans Bay
  • Moruya Community Health Centre, 2 River Street, Moruya
  • Narooma Community Health Centre, 14-28 Graham Street, Narooma.

You can also contact your nearest pharmacy to ask if they accept sharps for disposal, or you can contact Community Health directly:

  • T: 02 4474 1561

If you use sharps for livestock, you can also contact your local vet or produce and rural supplier to ask if they accept sharps.

Safe disposal of sharps at home

To minimise health risks or environmental harm, sharps items should always be kept separate from other wastes.

If you handle sharps in the home, consider using a sharps container or other appropriate puncture-resistant container (not glass) and ensure that the lid is secure.

  • You can purchase special medical sharps containers from selected pharmacies.
  • Store the container out of reach of children.
  • When the container is full, dispose of it at one of the Community Health sharps disposal locations.

Never dispose of sharps:

  • in public litter bins
  • by flushing down toilets or drains
  • in household waste or recycling bins (plastic syringes are not recyclable)
  • by discarding into the environment.

Report discarded sharps waste

If you find a needle or syringe in a public place, contact the NSW Needle Clean Up Hotline to have the items safely removed:

Most importantly, do not attempt to pick up the needle or syringe.

Newspaper+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

O

Ovens+

Accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection and at all waste management facilities, free of charge.

P

Paint+

Domestic quantities (maximum 20 litres) are accepted free of charge at:

You can take empty paint tins to any of Council's waste management facilities, free of charge.

If you don't want to want until the annual chemical clean out, the best way to dispose of paint is to use it up, or give it to someone who can, such as:

  • friends and neighbours
  • community service organisations
  • theatre groups
  • pony clubs
  • schools and day care centres, etc.

Paint is a hazardous waste

  • Paint contains solvents and metals that are poisonous to humans and the environment.
  • When paint is disposed of improperly - in the garbage, down a drain or on the ground - these chemicals can contaminate lakes, rivers and the underground water system.
  • For this reason, you should never put paint into the garbage bin.

How to tell if paint is still good

Paint stays in good condition for a long time: oil-based paint lasts for up to 15 years and latex paint lasts for up to 10 years. As a general rule, paint that is labelled, fills at least one-third of its container, hasn't been frozen and thawed repeatedly and mixes when stirred, can still be used.

If your latex paint has been frozen, brush a small amount on a sheet of newspaper. If there are no lumps, it hasn't been damaged and can be used.

Avoid future paint disposal problems

Try to:

  • buy only the amount of paint you need - measure the space you need to paint and ask the hardware or paint store personnel to help you buy the right amount
  • use up leftover paint before you buy more
  • avoid purchasing exotic colours that you will not be able to use for another project
  • apply another coat to use up leftover paint
  • store cans of leftover paint with the lid side down to prolong its shelf life. Be sure the lid is tightly closed. The paint will seal the can to prevent hardening or moisture damage. Store cans in a dry area where the paint won't freeze.

Paint tins (dry only)+

Empty paint tins (dry) can be taken to any of the waste management facilities, free of charge.

Paper (excluding shredded paper)+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Paper towel+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Pesticides+

Label clearly and store at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

  • The best way to dispose of pesticides is to use them completely.
  • Follow the instructions on the pesticide label and do not overuse them.
  • Rinse the empty pesticide containers three times before disposing of them and use the rinse water as a pesticide.
  • Smaller (empty) containers can be placed in the red lid garbage bin and larger containers can be taken to Council's waste management facilities as part of the drumMUSTER program.
  • Do not burn or reuse pesticide containers.

It you can't wait until the annual chemical clean out, give your leftover pesticides to someone who can use them, such as neighbors and friends, garden clubs, or community groups.

Do not give away pesticides that are banned, unlabelled or damaged.

The problem with pesticide disposal

Pesticides include:

  • herbicides: chemicals designed to kill plants
  • insecticides: chemicals designed to kill insects
  • rodenticides: chemicals designed to kill rodents.

Pesticides are chemicals that can be poisonous to pets, livestock, and humans. Some pesticides are banned or restricted as they have long-lasting hazardous effects on the environment.

Throwing pesticides into the garbage, on the ground or down the drain can pollute lakes, streams and drinking water with these toxic chemicals.

Banned pesticides

Pesticides that are banned, damaged or unlabelled shouldn't be used or given away. Damaged pesticides include caked powders and liquids that have been frozen or have separated.

Most banned pesticides will contain one of these ingredients:

  • Aldrin
  • Chlordane
  • DDT
  • Dieldrin
  • Endrin
  • Arsenic
  • Cyanide
  • 2,4,5-T
  • 2,4-D
  • Lindane.

This is not a complete list. If your pesticide was purchased before 1986, contact the Department of Primary Industries to check if it is banned.

The only way to safely dispose of banned or damaged pesticides is to take them to the annual chemical cleanout.

Storing pesticides safely

  • Clearly label the container with the name of the pesticide and the amount enclosed.
  • Store the pesticide in a locked closet or cabinet away from children or pets.
  • Store the pesticide in a dry area. Wet or damp pesticide containers may rust or leak.
  • If the pesticide container is damaged, place the pesticide (in its original container) into a sealed plastic container, a box lined with two plastic garbage bags or a metal container with a lid.

If the pesticide has silt or leaked:

  • keep children and pets away from the pesticide.
  • call the fire brigade to contain the pesticide and make it safe.

Avoid future waste pesticides

The best health and environment protection is to prevent household products from becoming hazardous wastes.

  • Be sure that you need a pesticide before you buy. Your local nursery or the Department of Primary Industries can help you decide.
  • Use alternatives to pesticides when possible.
  • Purchase only the amount you need.
  • Use leftover pesticides before buying more and before the pesticides expire.
  • Follow the storage instructions on this page.

Pet food tins+

Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Petrol+

Label clearly and store at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

Pizza boxes (empty)+

Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Plastic bags+

  • In general, avoid purchasing plastics bags, and reuse them wherever possible, or place in your red lidded garbage bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).
  • Some soft plastics can be recycled if you bring them to our waste management facilities. Find out more about what soft plastics we can and can't accept for recycling.

Plastic bottles and containers+

Push lids inside otherwise empty plastic bottles and containers, and place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

  • Containers are accepted at all waste management facilities.
  • Lids smaller than a credit card can still be recycled if they are contained.
  • Lids larger than a credit card can be placed directly into the yellow lidded recycling bin.

Poisons+

Label clearly and store at home until Council's annual chemical clean out, where you can drop them off for free.

Polystyrene packaging+

Accepted at all waste management facilities, free of charge, and small amounts can be placed in your red lidded bin.

Printers/scanners+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

S

Scrap metal+

Accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection and at all waste management facilities, free of charge.

Shredded paper+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Smoke detectors+

Domestic smoke detectors are accepted free of charge at Surf Beach Community Recycling Centre and at Council's annual chemical clean out.

Soft plastics+

Council has partnered with Recycle Smart to redirect soft plastics from landfill.

  • You can take your soft plastics to any of Council's three waste facilities and put your soft plastics in the designated bins.
  • We will then transport the soft plastics for recycling.
  • Please don't put soft plastics into your yellow-lidded recycling bin. Soft plastics are not a part of regular household recycling collection.

We will accept

  • biscuit packaging (not trays)
  • bread bags and cereal box liners
  • bubble wrap
  • confectionary packets and bags
  • fresh produce bags, including string bags
  • frozen food bags
  • plastic film/cling wrap
  • plastic sachets
  • shopping and grocery bags
  • silver lined chip bags
  • squeeze pouches
  • zip lock bags
  • sturdy pet food bags with return to store label.

We won't accept

  • adhesive tape and clear vinyl packaging
  • balloons
  • biodegradable plastics
  • compostable plastics
  • foil packaging
  • rubber, rubber gloves
  • tinsel
  • wine/water bladders (foil based)
  • rigid plastic containers like strawberry punnets
  • silage wrap
  • builders plastic

Recycling soft plastics

Recycling soft plastics is challenging. They are usually made of a mixture of materials to keep them flexible and durable. This includes additives and petrochemicals such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene.

APR Plastics in Dandenong Victoria will process the soft plastics from Eurobodalla. They will use a method called pyrolysis to process the soft plastics into reusable oil. The Biofabrik WASTX pyrolysis plant breaks waste plastic down to its chemical compounds. The broken down chemicals can be used again to make plastics.

If you need more information about soft plastic recycling, please contact Council's Waste Service:

Soil+

Solar panels+

Accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities.

Solvents+

Solvents are chemicals that dissolve other substances. They are used to thin paint, clean paint brushes, remove nail polish, clean machinery, remove grease stains and strip paint.

Solvents are hazardous

Household solvents contain the same chemicals as strictly regulated industrial solvents. Many solvents are poisonous when swallowed or absorbed through the skin and lungs and most are flammable.

When solvents are disposed of improperly - in the garbage, on the ground or down the drain - the hazardous chemicals may contaminate lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater.

Many chemicals found in landfills may contaminate the underground water table, and solvents are a primary concern.

Common household solvents

  • Paint thinners
    Ingredients: Toluene, xylene, mineral spirits, turpentine, petroleum distillates
  • Paint strippers
    Ingredients: Methylene chloride, acetone, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene
  • Septic tank cleaners
    Ingredients: Methylene chloride, trichloroethylene
  • Degreasers  
    Ingredients: Trichloroethylene, mineral spirits, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, stoddard solvents
  • Spot removers  
    Ingredients: Trichloroethylene, naptha, benzene, toluene, perchloroethylene
  • Nail polish removers  
    Ingredients: Acetone, ethyl acetate
  • Paint removers  
    Ingredients: Toluene, xylene, naptha
  • Rubbing, wood alcohol  
    Ingredients: Isopropanol, methanol
  • Gas-line deicers  
    Ingredients: Methanol, isopropanol

How to dispose of unused solvents

The best way is to use them up or store them for later use. Be sure to follow the safety instructions. If you cannot use your solvents, give them to someone who can, like  friends, relatives, neighbours, graphic art businesses, auto shops and spray painters, artists, furniture and antique refinishing shops, or painting contractors.

Disposal methods for solvents depend on the type and quantity of solvent you have. Follow the disposal instructions listed on the  container for your specific solvent.

You can also take your unused solvents to the household chemical cleanout collection, which is held in the Eurobodalla on an annual basis.

Store the solvent in its original labelled container away from pets and children until this collection occurs.

Solvent safety precautions

When using solvents:

  • Work in a well ventilated area away from children and pets.
  • Solvents are flammable: work away from sparks, heat and flames.
  • Never smoke while handling solvents.
  • Wear protective clothing if suggested by the product label.
  • Avoid breathing solvent fumes, especially aerosol fumes.

What to do with solvent that is dirty with paint

Solvents such as paint thinner that have been used to clean up painting supplies can be easily cleaned and reused. You should however follow the instructions below:

  • Follow the safety instructions listed on the container.
  • Pour the dirty solvent into a transparent container with a good seal and store it until the paint settles to the bottom. This may take several weeks to several months.
  • Carefully pour the clean solvent off the top. This solvent can be reused.
  • Allow the remaining paint sludge to dry completely and place it in a plastic bag in the red lid garbage bin.

Avoid future solvent disposal problems

Be a careful consumer and store solvents carefully. You should:

  • make sure the solvent is needed for your project before you buy it. Some non-hazardous alternatives are available
  • buy only the amount you need
  • avoid purchasing solvents in aerosol containers
  • use up leftover solvents before you buy more
  • do not mix solvents together or with other products
  • store leftover solvents carefully in original containers for future use. If stored properly, solvents should stay in good condition for years
  • instead of saving leftover solvents, dispose of them as they are generated. Solvents are easier to dispose of in small quantities.

Steel cans+

Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Stereos+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

T

Televisions+

Bring to any waste management facility (accepted free of charge).

Timber+

Accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities.

Tissues+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Toothbrushes/toothpaste tubes+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Toys+

Tree prunings+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your green lidded garden organics bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

Tyres+

Limited number accepted at Surf Beach and Brou waste management facilities.

V

Vacuum cleaner dust+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or bagged in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

W

Waxed carboard+

Place in your red lidded general waste bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

White goods+

Accepted at Council's annual hard waste collection and at all waste management facilities, free of charge.

Wood preservative disposal+

Wood preservatives that contain creosote or pentachlorophenol or wood preservatives that cannot be used up, should be safely stored until you can dispose of them at Eurobodalla's annual chemical cleanout.

  • Check the product label. If your wood preservatives do not contain creosote or pentachlorophenol, the best way to dispose of leftovers is to use them up.
  • If you can't use your leftover wood preservatives, give them to someone who can - landscapers, friends or neighbours may be able to use them.

True wood preservatives contain chemicals that can become a health and environmental hazard. Improper disposal (in the garbage, on the ground or down the drain or stormwater) can contaminate lakes, streams and other drinking water supplies.

Sealants and stains are not always true wood preservatives

  • True wood preservatives contain chemicals that are poisonous to the organisms that make wood decay or rot.
  • Some products such as sealants and stains protect the wood by keeping out water, but these are paint products, not wood preservatives.
  • If you have sealants or stains to dispose of, find out more on our paint disposal page.

Wrapping paper+

Place in your compost bin, worm farm, or your yellow lidded recycling bin (accepted at all waste management facilities).

X

X-rays+

X-rays can be recycled - they are processed to extract silver.

Batemans Bay Scouts accept x-rays for recycling. Remove the doctor's report then slip your x-rays under the door of the Scout Hall at any time:

  • Anne Jackson, Batemans Bay Scout Group
    24 Scout Hall Road (end of Pacific Street), Batemans Bay
    T: 4471 1780

Contact us

If you have any questions about items that can be recycled or recovered, please contact Council's Waste Services: