Do you have old paints, DIY products, household, car or garden chemicals or cleaning products you need to get rid of? You can read our guide below to check if you can dispose of it with us and how to do so in a safe way.
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 add as much detail as you can about the chemical and its container. If you can, include a photo as it will help us identify the waste.
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's 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 container. It must also be sealed in a secure way and undamaged.
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 as it helps 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 on their own.
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
