Problem Waste

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Problem waste is waste that is difficult to get rid of - like chemicals, asbestos and medical waste. Find out how to deal with common types of problem waste below.

Asbestos

Asbestos in the home

If your home was built or renovated before 1987 it will most likely contain asbestos. 

Asbestos can be found in places such as the walls, ceilings and floors of kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, outdoor toilets, sheds and garages. 

If sealed, left undisturbed and in good condition asbestos doesn't pose a health risk. However, if disturbed, fibres are released which can be inhaled and cause asbestos-related diseases. 

Before you renovate your home, find out where asbestos could be and how to deal with it safely. 

It is recommended that you always use a licensed professional to remove asbestos. For more information about asbestos please visit the SafeWork NSW website.

Batteries

Battery Disposal

Household Batteries

Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 6V, 9V, button, and lantern batteries) are a big problem in our waste stream. They are considered hazardous waste as they can pollute the environment and can start fires in our collection trucks and waste facilities. This is why batteries should never be disposed of in household bins, public place bins or bulky waste collections.

To safely recycle batteries, tape both ends of the battery terminal and dispose of them at designated battery collection points. When disposed of correctly, around 95% of alkaline and lithium battery components can be recycled here in Australia. 

Council have created designated battery collection points across the local government area. You can find our battery bins at:

  • Administration Centre – 86 Avoca Road, Wakeley 
  • Bonnyrigg Library – 100 Bonnyrigg Avenue, Bonnyrigg 
  • Cabravale Leisure Centre – 30 Broomfield Street, Cabramatta 
  • Fairfield Leisure Centre – 44 Vine Street, Fairfield 
  • Fairfield Library – 1 Hamilton Road, Fairfield  
  • Prairiewood Leisure Centre – corner Prairie Vale Road and Moonlight Road, Prairiewood 
  • Smithfield Community Library – 51 Oxford Street, Smithfield 
  • Wetherill Park Library – 561 Polding Street, Wetherill Park (Stockland) 
  • Whitlam Library Cabramatta – 165 Railway Parade, Cabramatta 

In addition, Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, IGA, and Bunnings stores have designated battery bins where you can safely dispose of batteries. For other battery collection points, visit B-Cycle or Planet Ark to locate a local drop-off point near you. 

Larger Batteries and Batteries over 5kg

Larger batteries, such as power tool, e-bike, and e-scooter batteries, can be disposed of at Community Recycling Centres (CRC). To find your nearest CRC, visit NSW EPA.

Embedded Batteries

Many products have batteries embedded into the product body such as electronic toothbrushes, vacuum cleaners, smart watches, e-bikes, e-scooters and vapes. This makes it hard to remove the battery for correct disposal. As a result, the NSW EPA has established a trial to accept products with embedded batteries at selected Community Recycling Centre (CRC) locations.

Find out what you can bring and your nearest CRC embedded batteries trial location by visiting NSW EPA.

Car Batteries & other Lead-Acid Batteries

Car batteries and other lead-acid batteries will not be accepted at the above locations, however, they can be taken to Council’s Recycling Drop Off Centre on the corner of Davis Road and Widemere Road, Wetherill Park, on Saturdays from 8.30am - 3.30pm. These types of batteries can also be disposed of at Community Recycling Centres (CRC). To find your nearest CRC, visit NSW EPA.

Building Waste

Building, renovation, construction and demolition materials do not belong in your household bins and aren’t accepted in the Kerbside Clean-up collection. Construction and demolition waste should be responsibly disposed of through a private contractor, or search recyclingnearyou for local disposal options.

Mattresses

There are lots of ways to recycle your old mattresses so the materials can be recovered and used again. Mattresses in good condition can even be cleaned and donated to charities to help them provide low-cost bedding to those in need (always call the charity shop in advance).

Find a mattress recycler here.

You can also book in for a Kerbside Clean-Up twice a year. Mattresses are accepted in this collection.

Medical Waste

Diabetic Syringe Collections

You can drop your diabetic medical waste in sharps containers (not loose) at the following chemists: 

  • John Bronger Chemistworks – Shop MM05, Stockland Shopping Centre, 561 Polding Street, Wetherill Park 

  • O’Grady’s Pharmacy – 469A Cabramatta Road, Cabramatta West 

  • Priceline Pharmacy – Shop 20, Bonnyrigg Plaza, 100 Bonnyrigg Avenue, Bonnyrigg  

You can also dispose of syringes and sharps at public hospitals and community health clinics.

Expired medicine

Most chemists and pharmacies are involved in the Return Unwanted Medicines Program which will collect your out-of-date medicines for safe disposal. Simply take your old and unwanted medicines to your local chemist. 

For more information ask your local chemist, visit Return Unwanted Medicines or phone 1300 650 835.

Mobile Phones

Mobile Phone Disposal

Old & Broken Mobile Phone

Before disposing of your mobile phone, delete your data and make sure all the data is permanently wiped from your device. Don’t worry about removing the batteries from your device. The device can be recycled as is, batteries included.

Mobile phones and their chargers can be safely disposed of at the following locations:

  • Administration Centre – 86 Avoca Road, Wakeley
  • Recycling Drop Off Centre – corner of Davis Road and Widemere Road, Wetherill Park, on Saturdays from 8.30am - 3.30pm

For more information and other options for recycling mobile phones, visit Mobile Muster.