Hazardous household waste

Here we provide information about the disposal and collection of your hazardous household waste.

The type and quantity of hazardous waste determines how it can be recycled or disposed of:

At one of our household waste recovery centres (HWRCs)

  • Used engine oil
  • Both car batteries and household batteries
  • Gas cylinders
  • Fridges and freezers
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Televisions
  • Computer monitors
Please click here for more information about your local HWRC.
 

Return the waste to the retailer

  • Unwanted household medicines
  • Other unwanted pharmaceutical products 


Use our hazardous household waste collection service

Northumberland County Council offers a subsidised collection service for those items of hazardous household waste such as asbestos, garden pesticides, and flammable solvents, which 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.
 
PLEASE NOTE: The council levies a charge to secure a contribution towards the costs of providing this discretionary service. This service is for householders only. Businesses must make their own arrangements for a hazardous waste collection with a private waste management company.

Please click here for business waste and recycling advice.
 
Our hazardous waste terms and conditions can be viewed here.
 

2023/24 monthly collection dates for hazardous household waste


There are no hazardous waste collections in January 2024.
 
Collection dates: Submit by 4pm on:
Tue 7 & Wed 8 February 2023 Mon 30 January 2023
Tue 7 & Wed 8 March 2023 Mon 27 February 2023
Tue 4 & Wed 5 April 2023 Mon 27 March 2023
Tue 2 & Wed 3 May 2023 Mon 24 April 2023
Tue 6 & Wed 7 June 2023 Mon 29 May 2023
Tue 4 & Wed 5 July 2023 Mon 26 June 2023
Tue 1 & Wed 2 August 2023 Mon 24 July 2023
Tue 5 & Wed 6 September 2023 Mon 28 August 2023
Tue 3 & Wed 4 October 2023 Mon 25 September 2023
Tue 7 & Wed 8 November 2023 Mon 30 October 2023 
Tue 5 & Wed 6 December 2023  Mon 27 November 2023
Tue 6 & Wed 7 February 2024  Mon 29 January 2024
Tue 5 & Wed 6 March 2024  Mon 26 February 2024
Please see below for more information about the council's subsidised asbestos collection service:

  • The resident is responsible for making the appropriate arrangements 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 guidance sheet:
Please click here to read our asbestos removal guidance sheet.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have any asbestos-type other than cement bound asbestos, then please contact us for advice on 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 for you to contact a licensed contractor and seek professional advice.
Please click here for where you may find asbestos around the home.

If you have cement-bound asbestos for collection:
  • The maximum weight of cement-bound asbestos allowed for collection is 360kg. This is 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.
  • Please 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 your asbestos parcels are too heavy, collection won’t be possible.
  • Asbestos materials must be double wrapped in thick plastic sheets, taped at the ends.  It is very important that your asbestos 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 please 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.
  • Please arrange a collection for all te asbestos you have in one go, instead of separate collections.
  • 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. 
  • Please do not put your items out for collection before our contractor has contacted you to arrange a date, and a safe collection point.
 

Recommended contacts

Please click on the links below for guidance and information about asbestos removal: You can also contact the environmental health department at the council on 0345 600 6400.

For asbestos collection prices, please click on the box below:
Please note: Northumberland County Council's hazardous waste collection service applies to properties within Northumberland only.

In order to provide this discretionary asbestos collection service, there is a charge to residents as summarised below:

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

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 incurred from the contractor.
Please see below for more information about our household chemicals collection service.

Please note: 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:
  • Please check the Royal Horticultural Society website here and search on withdrawn garden chemicals.
  • Consider before you buy.  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. 
  • Please 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, then please call the Contract and Commercial team on 0345 600 6400.

For household chemicals collection prices, please click on the box below:
Please note: Northumberland County Council's hazardous waste collection service applies to properties within Northumberland only.

In order to provide this discretionary asbestos collection service, there is a charge to residents as summarised below:

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.