Items accepted at Detox Your Home events
Check items we accept
Detox your Home events now collect only the most hazardous materials. We no longer collect items that can be disposed of through other existing schemes (such as batteries, paint and cosmetics) and/or have a low level of toxicity. Items that will not be collected include fire extinguishers, cosmetics, aerosols and oils.
For safety reasons we cannot accept individual containers of more than 20 litres or 20 kilograms. Please bring items in original packaging or a disposable container that will not be returned to you.
Cleaning
- Acids and alkalis, including spirit of salt, bleach, rust remover, and hydrochloric acid
- Aerosol cans (empty cans can be put in your recycling bin)
- Oven cleaner
Cosmetics
- Nail polish remover
Garden and pool
- Fertiliser
- Fuel (old lawn mower/power tools fuel)
- Weed killers/herbicides
- Insect sprays and pesticides
- Pool chemicals, including liquid pool chlorine and pool salts
Garage
- Brake fluid
- Coolant
- Fuels, including petrol, diesel and kerosene
- Machine oil and lubricant
- Rat poison
- Transmission fluid
- Turpentine, thinners and paint strippers
- Wood preservatives and finishes
Hobby materials
- Photographic chemicals
- Wood preservatives and finishes
Kitchen and camping
- Butane gas canisters
- See cleaning products above
- Insect sprays
Items found at home with these symbols
Items not accepted
- 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 – Take batteries to your local Aldi, Woolworths, Bunnings or Battery World.
- Car batteries – Visit Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI) website. Battery World and some council waste and recycling centres accept and recycle lead-acid batteries.
- Chemicals used by businesses for industrial and commercial purposes – Visit the Planet Ark Commercial Recycling website.
- Cooking oil – Some council transfer stations accept cooking oil for recycling. Small amounts of cooking oil can also be disposed of in your household food organics and garden organics (FOGO) green lid bin.
- Farm chemicals – Visit the ChemClear website or free call 1800 008 182 for collection of unwanted rural chemicals.
- Fire extinguishers – Some council transfer stations accept fire extinguishers for disposal. To find other options visit the National Halon Bank for yellow fire extinguishers, and Fire Equipment Services for red extinguishers. NOTE: Yellow fire extinguishers contain halon which is an ozone-depleting chemical.
- 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.
- Medical waste – For advice, visit the EPA website.
- 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.
- Printer cartridges – Can be recycled through the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program.
- Pharmaceuticals – Medicines may be disposed of safely at your local pharmacy or see the Returned Unused Medicines project.
If you have chemicals or toxic items and you are unsure if they are acceptable items for a Detox your Home event please email detox@sustainability.vic.gov.au. Provide the name and a clear description of the item and we will get back to you with a response.
Using the sewer to dispose of household chemicals
Small amounts of some chemicals can be mixed with lots of water and put down the sewer (through your sink, hand-basin, shower or toilet).
Never put these chemicals into septic tanks or down stormwater drains as they will harm the environment and your septic system.
Using your household general rubbish (landfill) bin to dispose of hazardous household waste
Small amounts of household hazardous waste can go in your rubbish bin.
Liquids / pastes can be solidified by:
- leaving them open where they can dry out, or alternatively pour the liquids onto newspaper and covering with inert absorbent material
- adding something to absorb the liquid, such as sand or vermiculite.
Powders can be solidified by adding water and leaving to set.
Some materials can go into general rubbish bin without any treatment.
Detox Your Home events are held at locations around Victoria throughout the year. Registration is required.
