Garages collect hazardous items more than any other part of the home: half-used tins of paint and wood treatment, old engine oil, antifreeze, weedkillers and pesticides, car batteries, fluorescent tubes, aerosols and gas bottles. These cannot be mixed with general waste. Some are classed as hazardous waste in law, and others, like gas bottles, are dangerous if crushed in a waste vehicle.
We set these items aside at the start of the job, check containers are sealed and labelled, and keep them upright and separate during transport. Where we can take them to a suitable facility, we do. Where we cannot carry a particular item, we tell you exactly where it should go, whether that is your household recycling centre, a community scheme or the original supplier.
What is included
- Identifying and setting aside hazardous and special items at the start
- Checking containers are sealed, upright and labelled where possible
- Separating paint by type, such as water-based and solvent-based
- Taking oil, batteries and suitable chemicals to appropriate facilities
- Advising on gas bottle returns to suppliers or stockists
- Sending fluorescent tubes and electricals to WEEE recycling
- Flagging suspected asbestos without disturbing it
Who it is for
- Garages with old paint, varnish and wood treatments
- Car enthusiasts with oil, batteries and fluids
- Gardeners with old weedkillers and pesticides
- Clearing a relative's garage where products may be decades old
- Garages with old gas bottles from barbecues or heaters
How much does it cost?
As a guide, hazardous items are usually priced by quantity on top of the clear-out, from a small charge for a few tins to more for large amounts of chemicals. Taking small quantities to your recycling centre yourself is often free for householders. See our full cost guide.
