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                    Chemical waste

                    Man kneeling in front of a kitchen sink cabinet, looking at different cleaning products.
                    Unwanted household products such as cleaners, cooking oil, paint and pesticides must not be placed in your regular waste or recycling bins.

                    Storing unused chemicals in the shed or under the sink increases the risk of poisoning around the home. Pouring even small amounts down drains can pollute creeks and rivers, harming plants and animals.

                    Detox Your Home service

                    The Victorian Government’s Detox Your Home program ensures these chemicals are recycled or disposed of safely and in an environmentally responsible way. Free pop-up events are held in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, and residents from all municipalities can drop off their unwanted chemicals at any one of these events

                    Household paint batteries and fluorescent tubes and globes aren’t accepted at Detox events but can be disposed of for free at a permanent drop-off site.

                    Find upcoming Detox Your Home events.

                    Permanent collection facilities

                    There are thirty permanent drop-off sites across Victoria. The closest drop-off sites are the Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre in South Melbourne and the Moonee Valley Transfer Station in Aberfeldie.

                    Permanent facilities only accept a limited range of household chemicals products, such as:

                    • paint
                    • household batteries
                    • fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent globes (CFLs).

                    These sites may also accept other products like gas bottles, car batteries and motor oil for free or at a small cost.

                    Mobile collection service

                    A mobile collection service schedule is also available. This service takes a wider range of chemicals.

                    For more information about locations and dates for mobile services see Detox Your Home - collection points and dates.

                    What chemicals can I dispose of?

                    The types of unwanted household chemicals accepted for disposal are:

                    • household chemicals such as aerosol cans, insect sprays, pest poisons, household cleaners, pharmaceuticals, mothballs and old smoke detectors
                    • garden chemicals such as fertilisers, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides
                    • automotive chemicals such as transmission fluids, batteries, brake fluid, car wax solvent, fuels (such as petrol, diesel, kerosene)
                    • workshop chemicals including paint strippers, solvent-based glues, water and oil-based paints, paint thinner, acetone, turpentine, varnish and wood preservative.

                    Other miscellaneous chemicals accepted are:

                    • acids and alkalis
                    • artists' paints and supplies
                    • photographic chemicals
                    • unmixed fibreglass resins
                    • extinguishers
                    • gas cylinders
                    • safety ammunition
                    • swimming pool chemicals
                    • mercury batteries.

                    Chemical waste that will not be accepted includes:

                    • chemicals not used for household purposes such as farm, industrial and commercial-use chemicals
                    • containers larger than 20 litres in size.

                    For more information what can be collected by the mobile service, see Items accepted and not accepted.

                    Safety when handling and transporting chemicals

                    The following safety measures should be taken when transporting chemicals to the depot:

                    • ensure lids are tightly fitted
                    • place liquids on a tray or in a plastic bucket so any spills are contained
                    • pack powders and solids securely
                    • keep corrosive chemicals such as battery acid, away from poisons
                    • keep oxidising agents such as peroxide away from all other materials
                    • travel with your car windows down if carrying flammable or odorous materials
                    • double-wrap old liquid containers in plastic bags to prevent leaking.

                    For more information, see Safe handling of toxic chemicals.

                    More information

                    For more information about disposing of household chemicals and hazardous materials, see Detox Your Home – Frequently asked questions. 
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