Anything that is flammable, corrosive, toxic, reacts with other materials or can pollute the environment is a hazardous material – and a household hazardous rubbish if it is no longer needed or wanted. This includes:
- Household chemicals such as cleaners, disinfectants, polishes and pool chemicals.
- Garden chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers.
- Automotive products such as waste oil, petrol, diesel and brake fluid.
- Fluorescent tubes, energy-saving light bulbs and ultraviolet light bulbs.
- All types of batteries (wet-cell batteries used in cars and boats as well as dry-cell batteries used for appliances and toys).
- Mobile phones.
The labeling on the product is often the best clue to whether something is hazardous – if it uses words such as “Warning”, “Danger”, “Caution”, “Poison” or “Do not dispose of with household rubbish” you can safely assume that you have hazardous rubbish in your home.
Remember that water based paints are not toxic so aren’t collected as hazardous waste. Resene will accept their own paints back at no charge, and other brands for only a small price, so that’s the perfect way to get rid of them. Alternatively you can mix the paint with sand to dry it out and then put it safely in the rubbish.
Disposal of Hazardous Rubbish
Hazardous rubbish can be dangerous at every stage of its 'life'. Hazardous materials stored at home can react with one another and cause a fire or toxic fumes. Children can easily poison themselves. A container may leak and contaminate the soil or groundwater. If hazardous rubbish is disposed of with the rest of the household rubbish or put out with the inorganic rubbish collection, the people who pick up the rubbish can be injured, sometimes severely. If hazardous rubbish ends up in the landfill it will pollute our environment.
For these reasons hazardous rubbish is collected by the HazMobile.
The HazMobile is a free mobile collection service for household hazardous waste, provided jointly by the councils of the Auckland Region. For more information visit
Commercial quantities can not be accepted, for information on appropriate commercial disposal facilities Ring ARC 09 366 2000 or Franklin District Council 09 2371300.
HazMobile Collection Dates for Franklin
Collection Dates 2009:
Tuakau: 18 April - Tuakau Sale Yards
Waiuku: 27 June - Hosking Place
Pukekohe: October - TBA
The HazMobile will accept the following types of waste:
Lead based paint, solvents and paint strippers
Glues, wood preservatives, garden chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers
Petrol, oil and other car products
Toilet and drain cleaners, kitchen and oven cleaners
Pool chemicals, bleach and disinfectants, car batteries, household batteries
Furniture and shoe polish, fluorescent tubes, gas cylinders
The HazMobile cannot accept:
Asbestos: please call the Auckland Regional Council on 09 3662000 or Franklin District Council 09 2371300.
Ammunition or other explosives: please call your nearest police station for further information.
Medical waste such as syringes: please ask your health professional for advice on how to dispose of these items safely.
For disposal of agricultural chemicals please call Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40 to organise a free collection date.
By using the HazMobile to dispose of your household hazardous waste, you are helping to protect our environment and the health of your family.