Hazardous household waste
Hazardous household waste
Arrange a collection for asbestos and chemicals, including safety guidelines.
Hazardous waste you can take to our Household Waste Recovery Centres
- used engine oil
- both car batteries and household batteries
- gas cylinders (must be empty)
- fridges and freezers
- fluorescent tubes
- televisions
- computer monitors
Information about your local HWRC
Hazardous waste you should return to the retailer
- unwanted household medicines or sharps
- other unwanted pharmaceutical products e.g. prescribed medications
These items should be taken back to the retailer that provided them so that they can be responsibly recycled.
Hazardous Waste collection service
Northumberland County Council offers a collection service for those items of hazardous household waste such as:
- asbestos
- garden pesticides
- flammable solvents
These are not accepted at HWRCs or retailers.
There is a lifetime limit to the quantity of hazardous material we can collect from one property.
You will need to accurately describe, list and pay for the waste you want collected. If you under-report, then the excess material will be left behind.
The council levies a charge to secure a contribution towards the costs of providing this service. This service is for householders only.
Businesses must make their own arrangements for a hazardous waste collection with a private waste management company.
Business waste and recycling advice
Hazardous waste terms and conditions (PDF)
2024/25 monthly collection dates for hazardous household waste
| Collection dates | Submit by 4pm on |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Monday 27 January 2025 |
| Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Monday 24 February 2025 |
Book and pay for a hazardous waste collection
Hazardous household chemical collection
There is a charge for each visit the contractor makes.
We advise that you ensure you have all items you need collecting ready at the same time.
Please also consider whether you or a neighbour can safely use up what you have, according to the manufacturer's guidelines on the label, and if the item is not a withdrawn chemical:
- Search the Royal Horticultural Society website for withdrawn garden chemicals
- before buying garden and household chemicals consider if there are more environmentally friendly alternatives that you could use instead
Preparation instructions for household chemicals:
- the maximum weight of chemicals for collection is 90kg
- residents with quantities in excess of these limits should seek quotes from private contractors
- for each item we need you to provide the product name, manufacturer, container size and approx. quantity left in each container and state if the container is leak proof
- store all the chemicals in leak-proof containers for efficient collection
- if you don't have a leak-proof container, please double bag and store separately from other chemicals
- if possible, please email a photo of the labels of the chemicals to assist with the research into the items you have listed
- we may be able to advise you whether your items are all considered hazardous, if your items are not hazardous, then you may be able to dispose of them via your kerbside rubbish bin
- it is important that your chemicals are ready for collection from 7am on the agreed date, as a charge is incurred from the contractor to visit your property even if there is nothing collected
- do not put your items out for collection before our contractor has contacted you to arrange a date, and a safe collection point
If you need further advice, for example which chemicals can be accepted, call the Contract and Commercial team.
Telephone: 0345 600 6400
Book and pay for a hazardous waste collection
Asbestos collection service prices
| Amount of bags or sheets | Price |
|---|---|
| up to 2 bags, or 2 sheets, 4ft x 4ft | £9 |
| up to 7 bags, or 5 sheets, 6ft x 3ft | £31.50 |
| up to 12 bags, or 8 sheets, 6ft x 3ft | £76.50 |
| up to 18 bags, or 12 sheets, 6ft x 3ft | £123.75 |
Arrange an asbestos collection
You are responsible for arranging to dismantle and package the asbestos ready for collection.
If you are carrying out any asbestos removal yourself, we strongly recommend that you read this asbestos removal guidance sheet (PDF).
Any asbestos-type other than cement bound asbestos
Telephone: 0345 600 6400
Any removal work that you choose to do is at your own risk.
If you do have any doubts about the removal of asbestos, it may be better to contact a licensed contractor.
Where you may find asbestos around the home
Cement-bound asbestos for collection
- the maximum weight of cement-bound asbestos is 360kg, equivalent to a single garage roof
- residents with quantities in excess of these limits should seek quotes from private contractors
- the council service is for collection only and does not include wrapping of any removed asbestos materials
- ensure that your bagged and wrapped asbestos is not too heavy for one person to carry (max. 25kg parcels) and must be labelled as asbestos
- if the parcel is too heavy, collection won't be possible
- asbestos materials must be double wrapped in thick plastic sheets, taped at the ends. It is important that it is properly wrapped in case it breaks whilst in transit
- damp-proof membrane (DPM) is the recommended plastic sheeting, which can be purchased from builder's merchants
- do not break asbestos materials into pieces, if you have smaller or broken pieces, then double-bag the waste in fertiliser bags and seal with duct tape
- protective overalls, masks (FFP3), goggles, shoe covers, and gloves should also be bagged and presented for collection only remove face masks and goggles after removing and bagging up overalls and shoe covers
- shower immediately after you have completed these tasks
- arrange a collection for all the asbestos you have in one go
- it is important that your asbestos is ready for collection from 7am on the agreed date, as a charge is incurred from the contractor to visit your property even if there is nothing collected
- do not put your items out for collection before our contractor has contacted you to arrange a date, and a safe collection point
Guidance
- The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA)
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- HSE- Asbestos Licensing explained
Contact the Environmental Health Team
Telephone: 0345 600 6400
Household chemicals collection prices
In order to provide this discretionary asbestos collection service, there is a charge to residents:
Chemicals up to 90kg £9.
The cost to residents is not the full cost of providing this service. The council keeps the cost down by contributing towards the fees and charges it incurs from the contractor.
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