The Household Hazardous Waste Program

Program Overview

In December 2003, the Minister for the Environment announced the establishment of a program which will capture, recycle or safely dispose of Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) in Western Australia.Commitment to this program has been extended until 2011.

The Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA) is coordinating the program which initially involves the upgrading of the existing local government household hazardous drop-off centres located throughout the metropolitan area. These facilities provide interim storage and some recovery and disposal avenues for various household hazardous wastes that are deposited by householders and the general public.

The main components of the program include:

promotion of the safe storage, recovery and disposal of household hazardous
a strategy to seek long-term funding to sustain the program
promotion of product stewardship to identify and avoid the production of harmful household hazardous wastes.

Safety Tips for Transporting Household Hazardous Wastes

It is important to take the following precautions when transporting household hazardous wastes:

Always handle hazardous wastes carefully - avoid direct contact with your skin and wear gloves
Place hazardous waste containers in plastic tubs or trays to capture any spills or leaks
Keep corrosive chemicals away from poisons
Place containers in the corner of your boot and pack the side so it will not tip or roll around
If transporting in a hatch back car keep at least one window open for ventilation
If possible, do not transport hazardous wastes with children or animals in the car
Double wrap old containers in leak proof plastic bags
At the hazardous waste depot ask for assistance from the depot staff to remove your hazardous wastes from the car
If you have any hazardous wastes with labels that are not readable, and you know the contents, place a note on the container. This will help the council safely dispose of the hazardous waste
Advise depot staff of any containers with unknown contents.

For further advice about transporting any household hazardous wastes please contact your local council.

Waste Authority Household Hazardous Waste Committee

In December 2009 the Minister for Environment approved the establishment of a Waste Authority Household Hazardous Waste Committee jointly with Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA). The Committee comprises representatives from the Waste Authority, WALGA, Department of Environment Conservation(DEC) and local government. The terms of reference for the Committee include:

Review household hazardous waste collection processes in other States.
Revise the household hazardous waste program contract to achieve certainty, agreed outcomes and a process for review.
Recommend cost-sharing arrangements.
Recommend other product stewardship arrangements for priority materials.

The Committee has met on two occasions in February and March 2010 to address the above issues and importantly prepare program details for 2011-2012 and beyond. View meeting minutes here

Drop Off centres in the Perth Metropolitan Area

The following household hazardous waste drop off centres are owned and operated by the regional or local government council. The facilities are open seven days a week.

    Bayswater Recycling Facility - Cleanaway
     Cnr Tonkin Hwy Collier Rd. Bayswater 6053
     9271 5177

    City of Armadale (please ring for operating times)
     Hilbert Rd Forrestdale 6112
     9399 3935

    City of Canning
     Lot 500 Ranford Rd. Canning Vale 6155
     9231 0716

    City of Cockburn
     Rockingham Rd. Henderson 6166
     9411 3866

    City of Rockingham
     Millar Rd. Baldivis 6171
     9528 8550

    City of Stirling - Balcatta Transfer Station
     238 Balcatta Rd. Balcatta
     9345 8555

    Red Hill- Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council
     1094 Toodyay Rd. Gidgegannup 6083
     9574 6235

    Shire of Mundaring
     Coppin Rd. Mundaring
     9290 6666

    Shire of Mundaring
     Mayo Rd. Wooroloo
     9290 6666

    Shire of Mundaring
     Mathieson Rd.Chidlow 6556
     9290 6666

    South Perth Waste Transfer Station
     Cnr Hayman Rd Thelma St. Como 6152
     9367 2492

    Tamala Park/ Mindarie Regional Council
     1700 Marmion Ave. Mindarie 6030
     9306 6303

    Wastestream Management Transfer Station
     30 Kew St. Welshpool 6016
     9439 1300

    Western Metropolitan Regional Council
     Cnr Lemnos & Brockway Rd. Shenton Park 6008
     9384 2544

Please contact the council or company on the number provided for more information on items collected before visiting the landfill.Please note that this information was last updated on 31st March 2010.

A detailed and printable spreadsheet of all current Perth Landfills and Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Facilities list is also available here >>

Disclaimer

The Western Australian Department of Environment does not operate these depots, or guarantee or accept any legal liability whatsoever arising from, or connected to, the reliability and completeness of the information provided above.

More on Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal step-by-step guide.
Household Chemical Waste Brochure
Household Hazardous Waste Brochure
Household Hazardous Waste Do-It-Yourself Brochure Kit
Draft Household Chemical Waste Storage Design Guidelines at landfills- August 2006

Further Information

For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Program please contact the Project Coordinator at the Department of Environment and Conservation by email or telephone (08) 6467 5305.

For more information about the program in your area please contact your local council.