Use a Detox Your Home event to dispose of many hazardous household chemicals. If you can't attend an event, or have hazardous household items that are not collected at Detox Your Home events, use the disposal options below.
Some products can be disposed of through product stewardship schemes, where manufacturers are responsible for collecting, recycling or safely disposing of products at the end of their life. Learn more on the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website about national product stewardship schemes.
If the item you want to dispose of is not listed below, search for 'chemical waste disposal' to find private or council disposal options. If the product is still usable, consider giving it to family or friends who may have a use for it.
View advice on safe storage of hazardous household chemicals if you can't dispose of them immediately.
Remember:
- Throwing chemicals in your rubbish bin is dangerous. They may explode, catch fire, leak or mix with other chemicals, either in your bin or in the collection truck or sorting facility.
- Pouring them down the drain may pollute the environment, harm animals and vegetation, contaminate our water supply and make rivers and beaches unsafe for swimming.
The general environmental duty applies to all Victorians. The duty requires you to reduce the risk of your activities harming the environment or human health.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
Aerosol containers (empty) | Empty aerosol containers can be recycled in your household mixed recycling bin. |
Ammunition, marine flares, fireworks and explosives | Call 1800 136 089 for WorkSafe Victoria |
Asbestos | Follow guidance from Asbestos in Victoria |
Batteries (household) | Check your council’s website to find your nearest battery or electronics recycling drop-off point or visit the following websites:
|
Batteries (car) | Visit Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI) website Battery World and some council waste and recycling centres accept and recycle lead-acid batteries. |
Batteries (lithium-ion) | Visit Australian Battery Recycler's Initiative for advice on disposing of lithium-battery products and Energy Safe Victoria for further information and resources on lithium-ion battery safety. |
Chemicals used by businesses for industrial & commercial purposes | Visit the Planet Ark Commercial Recycling website. |
Cooking oil | Some council transfer stations accept cooking oil for recycling. You can dispose of small amounts of cooking oil in your household food organics and garden organics (FOGO) green lid bin. Check your council website for local guidance. |
Cosmetics / make up | Drop off at Priceline, David Jones, Mecca, Sephora stores. Search for a location near you at Terracycle and choose ‘Recycle at home’. |
Farm chemicals | Visit the ChemClear website or free call 1800 008 182 for collection of unwanted rural chemicals. |
Fire extinguishers | Yellow halon fire extinguishers
Red fire extinguishers
|
Fluorescent lights | Take fluorescent lights to e-waste recycling at a council waste and recycling centre. |
Gas bottles | Some council transfer stations offer gas cylinder recycling. To find other recyclers, see the Planet Ark website. |
Medicine / pharmaceuticals | Medicines may be disposed of safely at your local pharmacy or see the Returned Unused Medicines project. |
Mobile phones | Visit Mobile Muster or Australian Battery Recycler's Initiative for advice on disposing of lithium-battery products. |
Motor oil | Contact your local council for disposal points in your area, or visit the Planet Ark Recycling Near You website. |
Nail polish | Open bottles and allow to harden before placing in waste bin. |
Paint | Visit Paintback to find your nearest drop-off site. Only unwanted paint and its packaging can be disposed of at Paintback sites. |
Printer cartridges | Can be recycled through the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program. |
Vapes | Check your council’s website to find your nearest recycling drop-off point or visit Recycle Mate or Planet Ark to find out where vapes can be recycled in your local area. |
Paint disposal
Page last updated: 06/07/26