EPA campaign to reduce problem waste

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a year-long awareness campaign to help households safely dispose of problem waste and protect the environment, waste workers and local communities.

Running from 13 August 2025 to 30 June 2026, the Household Problem Waste campaign highlights the importance of correctly identifying and disposing of hazardous items such as batteries, gas bottles, paint and chemicals through the state’s Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) and Household Chemical CleanOut (HCC) events.

NSW EPA Director of Circular Systems Kathy Giunta said the campaign is about building awareness and shifting household habits.

“Everyday household items like unwanted batteries, gas bottles or leftover paint can cause real harm when they’re disposed of incorrectly,” Giunta said.

“This campaign is about making it easier for the community to do the right thing. With over 100 Community Recycling Centres across the state and more than 60 CleanOut events each year, safely disposing of problem waste should be as routine as taking out the bin.”

The campaign is encouraging the public to:

• safely dispose of household problem waste to protect the environment and reduce risks to waste workers;
• take advantage of free disposal services at CRCs and HCC events — available to all NSW residents;
• be aware that problem waste includes items like paints, oils, batteries, smoke detectors, pool chemicals and more;
• never put hazardous waste in kerbside bins.
   

The free disposal services are available to all NSW residents and are designed to keep harmful waste out of kerbside bins and landfill, where it can pose environmental and safety risks.

The NSW Government has invested $66 million into household problem waste programs between 2022 and 2027, to help stop illegal dumping and reduce the volume of hazardous materials going to landfill.

Since 2014, CRCs across the state have safely collected more than 27,000 tonnes of problem waste, partnering with industry-backed stewardship programs such as Paintback to ensure responsible treatment and recycling.

In 2025–26, two new CRCs are scheduled to open, and around 60 Household Chemical CleanOut events will be held at various locations across NSW.

Image caption: Randwick Community Recycling Centres.