How to dispose of hazardous waste

Hazardous waste includes things like asbestos, chemicals and batteries.

We do not take hazardous waste in your household bin collection. This includes items such as:

  • oil filters
  • antifreeze
  • brake fluid
  • spent oils
  • lead acid batteries
  • fluorescent tubes
  • paint
  • certain electrical goods
  • tv and computer monitors
  • fridges and freezers
  • infectious clinical waste
  • asbestos

Advice on duty of care and checking if your waste is hazardous, read GOV.UK's hazardous waste website.

How and where to dispose of your hazardous household waste

You must separate out any hazardous waste from your general household waste before taking it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and check if they accept the waste.

You must notify a member of staff that you have brought hazardous waste, ask where this needs to be disposed of and follow site staff's instructions.

Hazardous waste must not just be placed in skips without consulting a member of staff first.

Find your local Household Waste Recycling Centre

Private waste contractors will deal with hazardous and special waste arising from a trade or business.

Special precautions are needed when disposing of and moving hazardous waste such as asbestos.

Disposing of asbestos

Small amounts of asbestos waste can be disposed of from your home for free at our Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Before you make your visit, call the Household Waste Recycling Centre on 0300 373 3730.

They will need to check they have space for your asbestos waste.

The maximum that will be accepted on any day is four sheets, or equivalent, with a maximum of three visits.

Asbestos must be:

  • in lengths of less than six feet
  • double wrapped in plastic and sealed with tape before visiting the site
  • staff must be informed on arrival

Do not:

  • put the sheets or bags in a skip or just leave them
  • break up asbestos sheets as this is dangerous

Removal licences

Find advice on the safe removal of asbestos related products and removal licences on the Health and Safety Executive website.

Disposing of chemicals in the Allerdale area

We provide a chargeable service to collect chemicals from households in the Allerdale area as they are regarded as hazardous household waste.

If the chemical is in containers and identifiable as safe to move, our contractor will carry out the collection. If the chemical is unidentifiable, and therefore deemed to be potentially dangerous we may sub contract to a specialist waste company who have the equipment and necessary skills to deal with the chemicals and their safe removal.

To discuss the safe removal of chemicals from your property contact our customer service.

Bulky waste service collections

We can arrange a collection and disposal of bulky items, such as fridges, cookers, beds and wardrobes, for a charge.

Arrange a bulky waste collection