Hazardous Waste

It is important to dispose of hazardous waste correctly.

Hazardous waste such as asbestos, biohazard medical waste and special waste burials can only be disposed of at the Maryborough Waste Facility, Saltwater Creek Road in accordance withthe requirements of the Environment Protection Act 1994 and the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulations 2000.

Asbestos

Asbestos can be a health hazard if it's not disposed of properly.

  • All asbestos waste for landfill disposal must be double wrapped or double bagged in heavy-duty 0.2mm polyethylene sheeting and tape sealed and clearly marked 'ASBESTOS'.
  • Broken sheeting and associated waste should be placed directly into disposal bins that have been double lined with polyethylene sheeting.
  • Disposal of asbestos can only be made at the Maryborough landfill.

You are required to call before disposing of asbestos, arrangements can be made by contacting our Customer Service Centre on 1300 79 49 29.

Asbestos fact sheet(PDF, 249KB)

Chemicals, oil and paints

Chemicals, oil and paints should never be disposed of irresponsibly in your waste/recycling bin or poured down the sink. They may contaminate the whole truck of recycling or create environmental hazards.

Household chemicals, oil and paint can be disposed of for free at most Council waste facilities (excluding Aramara).

Commercial quantities are not accepted at Council facilities. To dispose of commercial quantities of chemicals, please contact a private waste collection contractor for disposal options in your area.

Fuel is not accepted at Council’s waste facilities - please contact a private waste collection contractor for disposal options in your area.

Household Chemicals

Residents can dispose of up to 20L (in containers no greater than 5L) of household chemicals per visit.

Chemicals should be contained in a sealed container and clearly identified (with the original label in place where possible). Always declare your chemicals to the facility staff. You can then be directed to place the chemical container in the safe storage location at each facility.

Make sure your chemicals are safe before you drop them off – leaking or broken containers will not be accepted until they have been made safe for our staff to handle.

What are Household Chemicals?

Household chemicals are everyday products you buy from supermarkets and hardware stores, for example:

  • household cleaning products and bleach
  • garden chemicals
  • pest control chemicals
  • solvents (turpentine, methylated spirits etc.)
  • pool chemicals
  • car-care products

Waste oil

Residents can dispose of up to 20L of waste oil per visit. Oil must not be contaminated with any other substance.

Customers will be directed by facility staff to place the oil container in the safe storage location at each facility.

Paint 

Residents can dispose of up to 100L of paint (in containers no greater than 20L) at the Nikenbah or Maryborough Waste Facilities, where it is collected by Paintback and recycled correctly.

To find out more information about paintback program visit - www.paintback.com.au

Agricultural Chemicals containers - DrumMuster program

DrumMuster provides Australian agricultural and veterinary chemical users with a recycling pathway.

Containers must display the DrumMuster logo, either on the chemical label, embossed into the container wall, or applied as a sticker. Ensure the container is triple-rinsed so there is no chemical residue left inside or on the lid threads. 

For more information visit - www.drummuster.org.au

Batteries and flares

Batteries and flares should never be put in your waste or recycling bins. They can spark a fire in our trucks.

Batteries can be dropped off at any Fraser Coast Waste Facility for free up to 1kg (Lead Acid, Lithium, Alkaline only) such as phone, laptop, power tool, car/boat batteries, AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and button batteries.

Household batteries - Woolworths, Aldi and Coles also accept your household batteries for recycling through B-cycle. You can find the nearest battery disposal point at bcycle.com.au/drop-off

B-cycling keeps batteries out of landfill, so less toxic materials end up in our ecosystem.

Flares can be disposed of at the Maritime Safety Qld office, Buccaneer Ave, Urangan.

Needles/sharps containers

It is an offence to dispose of needles and syringes in an unsafe manner. Fines apply!

Queensland Health’s Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) provide free disposal containers.

You can also purchase sharps containers from most chemists.

If you don't have a sharps container -

  1. Place used needles in a secure rigid container such as an empty laundry detergent bottle.
  2. Label it clearly as 'SHARPS'.
  3. Secure the lid carefully and seal it.
  4. You can then place it in your general waste bin.

For further information, please contact us on 1300 79 49 29 or email enquiry@frasercoast.qld.gov.au