Chemicals
Some chemical items around the home are dangerous. We have a safe way of getting rid of a range of household hazardous waste items.
-
Date to be confirmed (TBC)
Local residents are invited to drop off hazardous household waste for free on designated collection days. Disposing of hazardous chemicals in your general waste or recycling bin is unsafe, as these materials can be flammable, corrosive, explosive, or toxic. Improper disposal can lead to fires in bins or garbage trucks, posing a risk to truck drivers and the community. These chemicals should also not be poured down the drain, as they can disrupt the functioning of Council water treatment plants and are harmful to the environment.
You can safely dispose of the following hazardous waste items at the free drop-off day:
- Insect sprays
- Metal polish and solvents
- Floor care products
- Brake fluid, motor oil, sump oil, and gear oil
- Petrol and marine fuel
- Fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and weed killers
- Paints and mediums
- Dry-cleaning solvents
- Fibreglass resins
- Swimming pool chemicals
- Photographic chemicals
- Smoke detectors
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs
Important Information:
- Items must remain in their original containers with lids on, and must not be mixed.
- A 20-litre limit applies for each chemical or product.
This service is for residents only. Commercial quantities will not be accepted.
-
Chemicals, paint, and oil should never be disposed of irresponsibly in your waste or recycling bin, nor should they be poured down the sink. This can contaminate the entire recycling truck or create significant environmental hazards.
You can dispose of paint and oil (up to 100l max.20L containers) at Council waste facilities.
-
If you have clean, empty agricultural or veterinary chemical containers, DrumMuster can collect and recycle them. Eligible containers must be non-returnable metal or plastic and can range from one litre/kilogram to 205 litres/kilograms. Containers used for chemicals in the following industries are accepted:
- Agricultural and livestock production
- Industrial and recreational pest and weed control
- Forestry
- Household pest control operations
- Similar activities conducted by government authorities
Containers must display the DrumMuster logo, either on the chemical label, embossed into the container wall, or applied as a sticker. Ensure the container is triple-rinsed so there is no chemical residue left inside or on the lid threads.
Council operates DrumMuster collections at the following locations during normal operating hours (no appointment necessary):
- Gympie Waste Management Facility – Go to Recycling Alley
- Kilkivan & Goomeri Waste Transfer Stations – Report to the site attendant
For more information, visit the DrumMuster website.
-
Farmers in our region can safely dispose of hazardous chemicals through the ChemClear program.
ChemClear visits towns across regional Australia approximately once a year to collect chemicals from farms. To be accepted, farm chemicals must be in their original containers, have a product label, not be mixed with other substances, and be within two years of their expiry date.
If chemicals do not meet these requirements, they can still be collected, but a per-litre fee will apply.
For more information or to arrange collection, contact ChemClear on 1800 008 182 or visit their website at ChemClear program overview | Safe disposal of unwanted chemicals — Agsafe
-
Unwanted paint can be taken to any of Council’s Waste Management Facilities, where it will be collected by Paintback and recycled properly.
To learn more about the Paintback program, visit the Paintback website.