A chance to clear out your hazardous household waste

Published on 28 April 2026

Whanganui residents will have a chance to responsibly dispose of hazardous household waste at the next Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday 9 May.

The event is an opportunity to drop off items that can’t go in general waste bins – such as cleaning products, poisons, solvents, garden chemicals (like weed killers and insecticides), and automotive fluids (like antifreeze and brake fluid).

The council’s Waste Operations Officer, John Sula, says it is important people register well in advance via the council’s website.

“Registering your items is crucial – as we need to understand what people are bringing and the volumes involved so we can plan for safe disposal.”

Sula says there are some materials the council previously accepted at these events – such as paint, batteries, and oil – which can now be recycled year-round through other facilities. This means these items are no longer accepted on Household Hazardous Waste Day.

“For old paint, people can get in touch with the likes of Guthrie Bowron and Resene, which both offer paint return and disposal. For batteries – whether they be lead-based, lithium, alkaline, or car batteries – you can recycle them at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre for free (just chat with the staff there). And likewise, motor oil can be dropped to the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre (for 50c per litre).”

Sula says it’s also important to remember the event is for household hazardous waste only.

“We can’t accept commercial waste, or items like asbestos, cooking oil, e-waste, LPG cylinders, and pharmaceuticals. If you have these, get in touch with us at wasteteam@whanganui.govt.nz and we’ll point you in the right direction.”

Participants will be assigned a drop-off time and location upon registration.

For more information, and to register, visit: whanganui.govt.nz/hazardouswaste