DITCH DANGEROUS DISPOSALS - EPA LAUNCHES PROBLEM WASTE CAMPAIGN

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has today 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.

These 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 significant environmental and safety risks.

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,” Ms 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 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.

What we are asking the public to do:

• 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.
• Problem waste includes items like paints, oils, batteries, smoke detectors, pool chemicals, and more.
• Never put hazardous waste in kerbside bins—visit cleanout.com.au to find your nearest drop-off location or event.

The campaign will be rolled out across multiple platforms including radio, print, social media, podcasts, YouTube, BVOD, Reddit, and digital out-of-home advertising. Geo-targeted ads will also be used to promote local CleanOut events across NSW.

The initiative directly supports the NSW EPA’s Strategic Plan and its commitment to enabling a safe circular economy by ensuring infrastructure, systems and community behaviour work together to reduce harm and increase resource recovery.

For more information or to find your nearest Community Recycling Centre or Household Chemical CleanOut event, visit cleanout.com.au.

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