Household Hazardous Waste Day

Register for Household Hazardous Waste Day

Household Hazardous Waste Day is held annually to give households the opportunity to register hazardous waste with the council and drop it off at a designated location. Keep an eye on this page to find out when the next Household Hazardous Waste Day is coming up. 

The next Household Hazardous Waste Day is planned for mid-2027. We will update this webpage when the date is confirmed.

It is essential that hazardous waste is registered with the council and approved before the day so we can plan for its safe disposal through proper channels.

Types of hazardous waste we accept

Household waste

  • cleaners
  • poisons
  • solvents

Garden chemicals

  • insecticides
  • herbicides
  • fungicides

Automotive and marine waste

  • antifreeze
  • brake fluid
  • fuel
  • batteries
  • anti-fouling paint

Pool chemicals

  • chlorine

 

How to dispose of other hazardous waste year-round

Item How to dispose of it
Paint (water-based and solvent-based) Resene and Guthrie Bowron offer paint return and safe disposal. Fees may apply for brands not sold in these stores.
Resene PaintWise
Dulux Paint Take Back Service
Batteries Always dispose of batteries correctly by taking them to free household battery recycling bins located at Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre and Bunnings Whanganui.

Accepts single-use and rechargeable batteries, including household and power tool batteries. Please tape the terminals.
Lightbulbs Take household lightbulbs to Mitre 10 for free recycling.
E-waste / electronic waste Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre, Technoman or Grumpy Old Men Enterprises all accept various electronic items. Phone to check. Fees may apply.
Mobile phones Take to Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre, Spark, 2degrees, One NZ or Noel Leeming stores for free recycling.
LPG gas bottles Take to RockGas in Putiki.
Business or commercial hazardous waste Contact a specialist hazardous waste collection provider. If unsure, contact the council for assistance.
Asbestos Asbestos can only be removed and disposed of by a licensed asbestos removal specialist. To find a licensed specialist, see the WorkSafe website:
WorkSafe Licence Holder Register
Cooking oil Small amounts of cooking oil can be distributed around the garden. For larger household quantities, let the oil cool completely, pour it into a plastic container and put it in your general rubbish bin.

Commercial cooking oil collection services are provided by local waste operators.
Fertilisers The best way to get rid of excess fertiliser is to use it in the garden. If you don’t wish to use it in your own garden, see if friends or family would like it. Unwanted powdered fertiliser can go in the rubbish bin. Liquid fertiliser can be disposed of at Household Hazardous Waste Day.
Pharmaceuticals Pharmacies accept medicines and sharps to ensure they are disposed of safely.
Motor oil Take to Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre. A 50c per litre charge applies.
Paint (lead-based) Contact a specialist hazardous waste collection provider.
Vapes Take unwanted vapes to Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre for safe disposal in the battery recycling bin.

 

If you are unsure how to dispose of a hazardous item, email wasteteam@whanganui.govt.nz.

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