Hazardous waste
Waste is hazardous when it has properties that might make it harmful to human health or the environment. GOV.UK has advice on what is classed hazardous waste
Different specialists deal with different hazardous waste.
Dumped hazardous waste (needles, asbestos, clinical or chemical waste) should not be touched.
Report the fly tipping (dumping of rubbish) so it can be removed safely and disposed of appropriately
Asbestos, chemicals and pesticides
Asbestos, chemicals and pesticides cannot be collected through the normal refuse collection service and can not be taken to the Chigwell Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Contact the Corporation of London (City of London) on 020 7332 3433, who can arrange for a collection of hazardous waste. This can also be used for the collection of paint.
Asbestos can be booked in to be taken to Jenkins Lane RRC in Newham by calling 0800 389 9918.
Clinical Waste
Medical or clinical waste has to be disposed of in a certain way. Clinical waste can be collected by us from a domestic property or a business.
Batteries
More than 1,200 fires occur in waste lorries and recycling centres every year in the UK. A major cause of these fires is batteries that have been thrown into household bins instead of being properly disposed of.
Why batteries should never go in your bin
Around 1.6 million batteries are thrown away every year in the UK, including over 1.1 billion electrical items containing hidden lithium-ion batteries, found in many everyday household appliances such as:
- Mobile phones and tablets
- Laptops
- Electric toothbrushes
- Vapes
- Headphones
- Children's toys
When batteries or small electricals are put in household rubbish or recycling bins, they can be crushed or damaged in bin lorries or waste sites. This creates a serious fire risk; threatening vital waste infrastructure, endangering residents, staff, and vehicle crews, and increasing costs for taxpayers.
How and where to recycle batteries and small electricals
All batteries and small electricals can be recycled at any Reuse and Recycling Centre. Loose household batteries can also be recycled at shops that sell batteries, such as DIY stores and supermarkets.
You can use the Recycle Your Electricals recycling locator to find your nearest battery and electrical recycling point.
You can recycle non-lithium household batteries (such as those found in torches, hearing aids, camcorders, calculators, watches, cameras and toys) at the following locations:
- Central Library, Clements Road
- Goodmayes Library, 76 Goodmayes Lane
- Aldersbrook Library, 2A Park Road
- Wanstead Library, Spratt Hall Road
- Gants Hill Library, 490 Cranbrook Road
- Fullwell Cross Library, 140 High Street, Barkingside
- Clayhall Library, 1 Claybury Broadway, Woodford Ave
- South Woodford Library, 116 High Road
- Hainault Library, 100 Manford Way
- Seven Kings Library, 670 High Road
- Keith Axon Centre, 160-170 Grove Road
The value of recycling batteries
Up to 90% of a battery's contents can be recycled and used again. Once collected, batteries are stored by type, safely packaged, and sent to specialist processing facilities where materials and plastics are extracted. These materials in turn are reused to make new products.
Fluorescent tubes
Old fluorescent lighting tubes can be taken to the Chigwell Road tip (Redbridge reuse and recycling centre).
Fireworks and explosives
Sometimes you will have leftover fireworks from a celebration, or you may discover some old flares. Please do not dispose of these items in your normal bin. Follow the guidance below to ensure safe disposal of explosive items.
Fireworks
Soak overnight in a bucket of water before taking them to Chigwell tip. Please tell the staff at the tip that you have fireworks and that they have been soaked. They will tell you which area to dispose of them in.
Flares
We cannot offer disposal of flares. You should speak to the manufacturer or supplier.
Oils and paints
Chigwell road tip will accept any old, unwanted or unused oil and paint.
