Step 1: Identifying the hazardous waste in your home

The following tables identify typical items of household hazardous waste, and whether they can be disposed of down the drain or should be taken to a chemical drop off depot.

The depots in the Perth Metropolitan Area will accept household quantities (up to 20 litres or 20 kilograms per package/item) of these chemicals free of charge. The chemicals will be collected from the depot and safely disposed of.

Products marked as safe for drain disposal should be diluted at least 50 times with water and should not be diposed of in storm water drains or septic tanks.

In the Kitchen	Depot	Drain
Aerosol cans	Yes	No
Dishwashing powder/blocks	No	Yes
Drain cleaners	No	Yes
Floor care products	No	Yes
Furniture polish	Yes	No
Insect sprays	Yes	No
Metal polish with solvent	Yes	No
Oven cleaners	Yes	No
Window and ammonia based cleaners	No	Yes

In the Bathroom	Depot	Drain
Aftershave, perfumes and other lotions	No	Yes
Bathroom and tile cleaners	No	Yes
Depilatories	No	Yes
Hair care products	No	Yes
Nail polish and remover	Yes	No
Toilet bowl cleaners and disinfectants	No	Yes

In the Workshop	Depot	Drain
Acetone	Yes	No
Aerosol cans	Yes	N/A
Glue (solvent based)	Yes	No
Glue (water based)	Yes	No
Hobby and craft supplies	Yes	No
Paintbrush cleaner with solvent	Yes	No
Paint (latex, water based)	Yes	No
Paint (oil based - house, car, model)	Yes	No
Paint thinner	Yes	No
Paint stripper	Yes	No
Rust remover with phosphoric acid	Yes	No
Solvents	Yes	No
Turpentine	Yes	No
Varnish and wood preservative	Yes	No

In the Garden	Depot	Drain
Fertiliser	Yes	No
Fungicide	Yes	No
Herbicides and weed killers	Yes	No
Insecticides	Yes	No
Pesticides	Yes	No
Rat and mouse poisons	Yes	No

In the Laundry	Depot	Drain
Air fresheners	Yes	No
Detergents	No	Yes
Fabric care products	No	Yes
Laundry powder	No	Yes
Laundry sprays	No	Yes

In the Garage	Depot	Drain
Batteries (motor vehicle)	Yes	N/A
Brake fluid	Yes	No
Car body repair products	Yes	No
Car wax and polishes with solvent	Yes	No
Car wash	No	Yes
Engine and transmission oil	Yes	No
Engine coolants (glycol)	Yes	No
Engine degreasers	Yes	No
Fuel	Yes	No
Kerosene	Yes	No
Metal cleaner or polish	Yes	No
Metholated spirit	Yes	No
Other oils	Yes	No
Windshield washer solution	No	Yes

Miscellaneous	Depot	Drain
Acids and alkalis	Yes	No
Artist paints, inks and mediums	Yes	No
Fire alarms	Yes	N/A
Fire extinguishers	Yes	N/A
Gas cylinders	Yes	N/A
Mercury batteries	Yes	N/A
Mothballs	Yes	N/A
Pet care products	Yes	No
Photographic chemicals	Yes	No
Swimming pool chemicals	Yes	No

Step 2: Locating your nearest household hazardous waste depot