Other options for household waste

Whether you are an employer, employee, homeowner or tenant, the Asbestos in Victoria website is a comprehensive resource to help you understand the risks of asbestos, and how to safely manage or remove it.

How to dispose of asbestos

Asbestos must NOT be placed in any kerbside bin or rubbish skip. 

The Swan Hill Landfill is one of only 18 landfills in Victoria that is licenced to accept asbestos. 

Before taking asbestos to Swan Hill Landfill, ensure you're familiar with the following rules:

1. Contact Swan Hill Landfill at least 24 hours in advance on 03 5032 9260.
2. Asbestos must be wrapped in 2 layers of black plastic (0.2mm thick polythene), completely sealed with adhesive tape and marked "ASBESTOS".
3. Domestic asbestos disposal is limited to 10m2 of asbestos sheeting.
4. Any work involving more than 10m2 of asbestos must be carried out by a licenced asbestos removal contractor.

Note: Asbestos from outside our municipality will attract a higher gate fee.

Do not

• DO NOT dispose of asbestos in your kerbside bin or a rubbish skip bin
• DO NOT dump asbestos illegally as it poses a significant health risk to the community and the environment
• DO NOT recycle or reuse asbestos

Putting batteries in your general rubbish bin or recycling bin is dangerous. It can cause fires in collection trucks and processing facilities.  When batteries are not recycled correctly, they end up in our local landfill. This releases harmful chemicals and wastes valuable resources.

Small household batteries

Do NOT put small household batteries in your rubbish or recycling bin. You can drop off household batteries at Council’s Resource Recovery locations for free. You can also check with your local supermarket or hardware store. For a complete list of battery drop-off locations visit the B-cycle Battery Recycling website.

Vehicle batteries

Do NOT put vehicle batteries batteries in your rubbish or recycling bin. You can drop off 12 and 24 volt lead acid vehicle batteries at Council’s Resource Recovery locations for free. Alternatively, they can be taken to a scrap metal dealer!

Please note: We do not accept electric and hybrid vehicle batteries at any Swan Hill Council site. Contact the manufacturer or place of purchase for disposal options.

Eligible chemical containers can be taken to the following sites for FREE as part of the drumMuster program:

• Swan Hill Landfill Transfer Station
• Robinvale Landfill Transfer Station
• Manangatang Rural Transfer Station
• Ultima Rural Transfer Station

Containers eligible for free drop under the Agsafe drumMuster program must be:

1. Empty of chemicals
2. Triple rinsed
3. Free of any remnant chemical residue including around the thread
4. Remove cap

Non-compliant drums will be rejected or incur disposal charges.

You can drop off electronic waste (also known as e-waste) for free at any of Council’s Resource and Recovery Locations. 

E-waste can NOT be placed in any Council kerbside bin.

If it’s got a plug, battery or cord and is unwanted, it’s e-waste.  It could be any of a whole range of items from work, home or even the garden shed. From old phones, computers and household appliances to power tools and toys. 

E-waste is full of valuable resources we can reuse, as well as some nasty materials that are bad for the environment. Rather than putting it in the bin and sending it to landfill, we should take it to a better place where we can remove the bad and save the good.

Electronic waste is growing up to three times faster than general municipal waste. The good news is that e-waste is more than 95 per cent recyclable. For example, old mobile phones can be recycled to make stainless steel goods, new batteries and even plastic fence posts.

Examples of e-waste

Fluorescent tubes and globes must NOT be placed in any Council kerbside bin. They contain mercury which can be toxic and environmentally harmful.

You can dispose of fluorescent tubes and globes FREE of charge at any of Council’s Resource Recovery sites.

Gas cylinders and canisters must NEVER be placed in any Council kerbside bin.

Canisters that contain or once contained butane, propane, or helium can cause explosions. They can start fires in collection trucks and processing facilities.

You can recycle your gas cylinders for a small fee at any of Council’s Resource Recovery Location. Alternatively, small BBQ type gas cylinders can be taken back to the place of purchase for drop off or exchange.

Please note: We do not accept large household LPG cylinders or cutting or welding gas cylinders at any Council site. The cylinders belong to the company that supplied them so they need to be returned to the supplier.

Council does not currently offer a hard rubbish collection service. However, there are other options available to responsibly dispose of your hard rubbish.

The Big Green Shed, located at the Swan Hill Landfill Transfer Station, accepts some types of unwanted household goods free of charge.

Local charity shops may also be interested in your items. Please contact them directly before taking anything to their location.

Alternatively, social media platforms such as Facebook Market Place and Gumtree etc. can be great options for finding homes for your unwanted items. You may even make a little bit of money.

Any items that cannot be recycled, can be disposed of at Council’s landfill and transfer stations. Fees may apply.

Chemicals found in the home and garden shed must NOT be placed in any kerbside bin or poured down the drain.

This includes:

• cleaning products
• hand sanitisers
• pool chemicals
• brake fluids
• car care products
• fertilisers
• herbicides and pesticides
• fire extinguishers
• butane gas canisters
• turps and paint thinners

Sustainability Victoria hosts free Detox your Home events across the state for the safe disposal of household chemicals.

For a list of upcoming Detox your Home events in Victoria, refer to Sustainability Victoria's website.

Mattresses can be disposed of at any Council Resource Recovery locations for a small fee. 

Mattresses are hand stripped and recycled onsite.

Mobile phones are an e-waste item and can NOT be placed in any Council kerbside bin.

Instead, they can be dropped off for FREE at any of Council’s Resource Recovery locations.

For a list of alternate locations check the MobileMuster website.

Household quantities of motor oil can be dropped off for FREE at:

• Swan Hill Landfill Transfer Station
• Robinvale Landfill Transfer Stations
• Manangatang Rural Transfer Station

Pure used cooking oil can be disposed of at the Swan Hill Landfill Transfer Station.

Paint must NOT be placed in any Council kerbside bin.

You CANNOT take any WET paint to any of Council’s Resource Recovery locations. We will accept dried out paint.

Rubble and building materials can NOT be placed in any Council kerbside bin.

They can be taken to Council’s Swan Hill and Robinvale Landfill Transfer Stations. 

Alternatively, contact a local specialist waste removal company for further options.

Information specifically for asbestos can be found in the 'asbestos' section above.

Used syringes can pose a health hazard to the community and should be disposed in a responsible way.

For more information and disposal locations visit our syringe safety page.

Sand, soil and hot ash can NOT be placed in any Council kerbside bin.

They can be disposed of at Council's Swan Hill or Robinvale Landfill, fees may apply.

Any kerbside bin that is damaged or destroyed by hot ash will incur a replacement fee. If cold, add small amounts of ash to home compost or garden.

Large amounts of soil must NOT be placed in any kerbside bin.

Before taking soil to Swan Hill or Robinvale Landfill, ensure you have met all EPA requirements to correctly classify the soil you wish to dispose.

For more information visit the Environmental Protection Authority website.

We do not currently accept end-of-life solar panels and storage batteries at any Resource Recovery location.

The solar industry is currently dedicating significant resources toward developing sustainable solutions for the proper disposal of this waste stream.

Council will stay informed about future developments. We are eager to ensure this waste can find an appropriate home soon. Check with the manufacturer or supplier for current disposal options.

Tyres are banned from landfills. You can bring your unwanted tyres to Council’s Resource Recovery locations for a more sustainable recycling option. 

Unwanted household appliances, like microwaves, washing machines, fridges, and dishwashers, can be donated. Or, they can be taken to any of Council’s Resource Recovery locations or scrap metal dealers for recycling for recycling. 

Most white goods are accepted free of charge.

Fridges, freezers, and air conditioners need professional degassing. This will incur a small fee.