All households are likely to have a number of chemicals, in both liquid and powder form, that cannot be disposed of through the black bin or household waste sites due to their hazardous nature.
Such products include oil, paint (in its liquid form), garden chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers) and various kitchen products (cleaners, disinfectants).
Some substances, such as certain pesticides and creosote, have been banned from sale recently but there could still be some lingering around in the garden shed.
Another hazardous material which is common is cement bonded asbestos sheeting. Used in the construction of garages and sheds, this product is also classed as hazardous and great care must be taken when handling this material. Disposing of hazardous waste incorrectly is a hazard to the environment and is illegal.
To safely dispose of paint it must be dried out first. You could do this by adding sawdust or soil to your paint to enable it to dry out quicker. When the paint is dried it can be disposed of in your black bin.
If you do have these, or any other similar materials, and want to dispose of them, please contact the Waste Management Section for advice on how to do so safely. We do offer a chargeable collection for paint and other hazardous materials (please note that St Edmundsbury may not be able to collect certain hazardous wastes but will be able to assist with advice and guidance). Or alternatively see our Household waste disposal page for further information on hazardous waste disposal.
For further advice, or to request a collection service where offered, phone 01284 757320 or email waste.management@stedsbc.gov.uk
