How to dispose of hazardous waste

Waste is hazardous when it contains substances that might make it harmful to human health or cause harm to the environment. The term ‘hazardous’ doesn't always mean that the waste is toxic.

Hazardous waste includes items such as asbestos, paints, chemicals and cleaning products, as well as batteries, televisions and fridges. Some items classed as hazardous waste can be disposed of at our household waste recycling centres, but you might need to book an appointment before visiting.

Hazardous waste that needs an appointment

Hazardous waste that does need an appointment for disposal includes asbestos, paints, DIY products, cleaning products, and household, car and garden chemicals.

If the chemical/product you need to dispose of isn't listed below, don't take it to the recycling centre. Check if we can accept the item by emailing hwrcpass@barnsley.gov.uk with details of the chemical, its container and a photo.

Asbestos

You can take small amounts of asbestos to Worsbrough household waste recycling centre if you make an asbestos booking. All material must be double wrapped in 1000-gauge polythene and securely taped and sealed.

We recommend you bring and use personal protective equipment, such as eye protection and a face mask, when you're using the asbestos container. The opening for the container is 142cm from the ground, so you need to be sure you can safely lift your wrapped packages to this height. You may want to take someone with you to help, as our site staff are unable to physically assist with the depositing of the packages.

Paint, thinners and wood preservers

The following are examples of paints, thinners and wood preservers which you can take to the recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

brush cleaner (including turpentine substitute, white spirit and methylated spirit)
decking and/or wood oil
wood preservative
paint and/or varnish remover
oil-based paint if it's still liquid (if it's been dried out using sand, soil, sawdust, or cat litter it doesn't need a pre-booked disposal appointment)

For health and safety reasons all paint, thinners and wood preservers must be in their original, undamaged and securely sealed container. We can't accept them if they aren't in their original container or if it's damaged, as we need to be able to identify and manage the waste correctly.

Water-based paints

Water-based paint and emulsion paint can be taken to any recycling centre and placed in the paint recycling skip.

If there's less than a quarter of a tin or tub left, it can't be accepted for recycling. Please dry it out or soak it up using sand, soil, sawdust or cat litter. Once dry, you can take it to the recycling centre and place in the non-recyclable skip.

DIY products

The following are examples of DIY products which you can take to the recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

silicone sealant
water sealant
water proofer
wood filler
wood preservative

For health and safety reasons all DIY products must be in their original, undamaged and securely sealed container. We can't accept them if they aren't in their original container or if it's damaged, as we need to be able to identify and manage the waste correctly.

Garden chemicals

The following are examples of garden chemicals which you can take to the recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

fertilisers
fungicides
herbicides
insecticides
pesticides
weedkillers

For health and safety reasons all garden chemicals must be in their original, undamaged and securely sealed container. We can't accept them if they aren't in their original container or if it's damaged, as we need to be able to identify and manage the waste correctly.

Household cleaning products

The following are examples of household cleaning products which you can take to the recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

bleach
brass cleaner
brick/cement/patio cleaner
carpet shampoo
cat flea powder
de-scaler
disinfectant
drain cleaner
floor cleaner and polish
furniture oil and wax
glass cleaner
mould remover
oven cleaner
polish
stain remover
upholstery cleaner

For health and safety reasons all household cleaning products must be in their original, undamaged and securely sealed container. We can't accept them if they aren't in their original container or if it's damaged, as we need to be able to identify and manage the waste correctly.

Household chemicals

The following are examples of household chemicals which you can take to the recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

clothes dye
photographic and other hobby chemicals

For health and safety reasons all household chemicals must be in their original, undamaged and securely sealed container. We can't accept them if they aren't in their original container or if it's damaged, as we need to be able to identify and manage the waste correctly.

Car chemicals

The following are examples of car chemicals which you can take to the recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

anti-freeze
brake fluid
car polish
car shampoo
de-icer
engine additives
screen wash
wheel cleaner

For health and safety reasons all car chemicals must be in their original, undamaged and securely sealed container. We can't accept them if they aren't in their original container or if it's damaged, as we need to be able to identify and manage the waste correctly.

Book an appointment

You can make a hazardous waste booking for Worsbrough (Barnsley) or Armthorpe (Doncaster) recycling centres. When you arrive for your appointment, speak to a member of staff who will help you. Please don't leave hazardous items on their own.

Hazardous waste that doesn't need an appointment

You can take the following items to any of our recycling centres and don't need to have an appointment:

computer monitors
car batteries
discharged fire extinguishers up to 1kg in size
engine oil
household batteries
fridges, freezers, and fridge-freezers
fluorescent tubes
televisions