Hazardous waste is waste that poses a risk to human health or the environment, such as asbestos, paint thinners, batteries and fluorescent tubes.
Check what counts, who regulates it and where each item should go before you start a clear-out, for safe disposal for you and the environment.
What counts as hazardous waste – By rubbish removal Glasgow professionals
Waste is classified as hazardous when it’s flammable, toxic, corrosive, explosive or infectious.
It also counts as hazardous is it contains substances that can contaminate soil and water.
The types of hazardous waste include chemical waste, solvents, asbestos and batteries.
If you’re unsure whether something counts, check the label for a hazard symbol such as a flame, a skull or a corrosion warning, and ask your council if there isn’t one.
Hazardous waste regulations
In Scotland the older name special waste is still used, and the Special Waste Regulations 1996 (as amended) are enforced by SEPA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
England use the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, regulated by the Environment Agency, with Defra setting policy. While Wales has its own version, enforced by Natural Resources Wales.
Household waste and commercial waste
Small amounts of hazardous waste from a home are treated differently from commercial waste.
But councils still ask you to keep them out of general waste and take them to the right place.
A business producing hazardous waste has to classify it, store it safely and use a registered carrier that specialises in hazardous waste collection, with the correct consignment note.
COSHH, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, covers how those substances are handled at work.
Common examples of hazardous waste at home
Asbestos
Asbestos deserves the most caution, because its fibres cause cancer and other serious health risks when disturbed and breathed in.
It was widely used in buildings from the 1930s until the late 1980s and can still be present in any building built or refurbished before 2000.
Never break it up, drill it or carry it away yourself.
A licensed asbestos specialist has the training and equipment to remove it safely, and ordinary recycling centres and junk removal firms can’t take it.
Paint, thinners and flammable liquids
Leftover paint, paint thinners, petrol and other flammable liquids are a fire risk in any garage.
Keep them in their original sealed containers away from heat, and take them to a recycling centre that accepts them. Tell staff on arrival that the contents are flammable.
Paint in good condition can go to community projects such as Community Repaint in Glasgow instead.
Batteries, bulbs and WEEE
Car batteries, household batteries, fluorescent tubes and energy-saving light bulbs all contain materials that shouldn’t reach landfill.
Many shops run take-back collection points for them, and recycling centres take the rest.
Electrical items are WEEE, or waste electrical and electronic equipment, and most of it is ordinary recycling.
Only a few older units contain hazardous parts, such as the toxic chemicals called PCBs.
Aerosols, gas cylinders and sharps
Empty aerosols can go in household recycling, but full or part-full cans and gas cylinders belong at a recycling centre or back with the supplier.
Needles go in a sharps bin, which your GP or a participating pharmacy can supply.
How to dispose of hazardous waste safely
Proper storage starts with keeping each product in its original labelled container, using sealed containers if the original is damaged.
Never mix chemicals, because the reaction can release toxic fumes.
Your local council website lists what the nearest recycling centre accepts, and some ask you to book a visit before you bring paint, chemicals or gas canisters.
Check before you travel to avoid a wasted journey.
Hazardous waste poured down a drain can contaminate water, and the same waste dumped in a bin can start fires in bin lorries and recycling sites.
Why hazardous waste can’t go to ordinary landfill
General waste and non-hazardous waste go to ordinary landfill.
Hazardous waste needs specialist waste treatment, which can mean incineration, chemical treatment or a specially licensed landfill site, because it would otherwise leak into soil and groundwater.
Batteries and electricals also hold metals that recycling plants recover, so they go for treatment and recycling instead of the bin.
What our collection service can and can’t take
The Junk-It team can handle a lot, but we can’t handle everything.
Hazardous waste removal sits with specialist carriers, so we can’t collect asbestos, paint, flammable liquids, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, aerosols, needles, broken glass, food waste, or biological waste. These items put our crew and the waste facilities we work with at risk.
Our items we can’t handle page explains how to deal with each one safely.
Ordinary unwanted electricals are WEEE recycling rather than hazardous waste, and that’s work we do.
Bulky items, mattresses, materials containing POP, metals and wood are all part of the job, and over 85% of what we collect is diverted from landfill.
If a garage or shed clear-out turns up paint or chemicals, set those aside first and take them to a Glasgow recycling centre, then call us for the rest.
We confirm what’s on the job before every collection, so nothing comes as a surprise on the day.
Hazardous waste questions answered
What are five examples of hazardous waste?
Asbestos, paint and solvents, batteries, fluorescent tubes and aerosols are common household examples, along with pesticides, engine oil and anti-freeze.
Can I put hazardous waste in my general waste bin?
Councils ask you to keep aerosols, batteries, chemicals and electrical items out of general waste bins and recycling bins, even in small amounts, because they can cause fires and contaminate other materials.
Are all batteries hazardous waste?
Car batteries are hazardous, and household batteries still need recycling rather than the bin. Lithium batteries, including those inside vapes, are a particular fire risk if they’re crushed in a collection lorry.
Can a business be fined for incorrect waste disposal?
A business or organisation that stores, moves or disposes of hazardous waste incorrectly can face financial penalties and prosecution, and it has to classify the waste, use a registered carrier and keep the right consignment note to stay legally compliant.
Who regulates hazardous waste in Scotland?
SEPA regulates it under the Special Waste Regulations 1996, and your local council handles household waste collection and recycling centres.
Clearing a garage or shed full of old items? Talk to the Junk-It team today
Sort the paint, chemicals and gas canisters into a separate pile and take them to the right facility, then leave the heavy lifting to us.
We’ll quote for the rest, collect it and sweep up after, across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Central Scotland.
Call us on 0141 433 4330 for a free quote with no obligation.
