Hazardous waste

Do you have old paints, DIY products, household, car or garden chemicals or cleaning products you need to dispose of? Read our guide below to check if you can dispose of it with us and how to do so safely.

Please don't bring any hazardous items other than those listed as you're likely to be turned away. If you're not sure if we can accept your item, please contact us at HWRCPass@barnsley.gov.uk. Please include as much detail as you can about the chemical and its container. Also, if you can, include a photograph.

What waste needs an appointment?

Paint, thinners and wood preservers

The following are examples of paints, thinners and wood preservers. These can be taken to a recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

  • brush cleaner. This includes turpentine substitute, white spirit and methylated spirits.
  • decking and / or wood oil.
  • wood preservative.
  • paint and / or varnish remover.
  • oil based paint if it still liquid. If it has been dried out using sand, soil, sawdust, or cat litter it doesn't need a pre-booked disposal appointment.

Please take these products in their original securely sealed and undamaged containers.

Water based paints

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

If there is less than a quarter of a tin or tub left then 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. These can be taken to a recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

  • silicone sealant
  • water sealant
  • water proofer
  • wood filler
  • wood preservative

Please take these products in their original securely sealed and undamaged containers.

Garden chemicals

The following are examples of garden chemicals. These can be taken to a recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

  • fertilisers
  • fungicides
  • herbicides
  • insecticides
  • pesticides
  • weedkillers

All garden chemicals should be in their original securely sealed and undamaged containers.

Household cleaning products

The following are examples of household cleaning products. These can be taken to a recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

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

Household cleaning products should be in their original securely sealed and undamaged containers.

Household chemicals

The following are examples of household chemicals. These can be taken to a recycling centre if you make a hazardous waste booking:

  • clothes dye
  • photographic and other hobby chemicals

Household chemicals should be in their original securely sealed and undamaged containers.

Car chemicals

The following are examples of car chemicals. These can be taken to a 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

All car chemicals should be in their original securely sealed and undamaged containers.

How to prepare your waste

All hazardous waste (other than asbestos) must be in its original securely sealed and undamaged container.

If the hazardous waste is not in the original container or its damaged, we can't accept it. This is for health and safety reasons. The original container is needed to help us identify and manage your waste correctly.

Where can I book an appointment?

You can make a hazardous waste booking at Worsbrough (Barnsley) or Armthorpe (Doncaster) recycling centres.

When you arrive, please speak to a member of staff who will help you. Please don't leave hazardous items unattended.

Hazardous waste that doesn't need a pre-booked appointment

The following items can be taken to any recycling centre and don't need a pre-booked hazardous waste 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