Australian Capital Territory · Canberra
Paint and chemical disposal in Canberra
In the ACT, wet paint and household chemicals never go in a bin or down a drain. Small household quantities go free to the hazardous waste area at the Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres, within the published per-visit limits. Dried water-based paint can go in the red lid general waste bin.
Sources ACT Government: hazardous wastePaintback: households
What do I do with paint & chemicals in the ACT?
- Leftover paint in the tin Paintback collects paint and its packaging at drop-off sites nationally, generally up to 20 litres per container. Free for households.
- Water-based paint you want gone now Leave the lid off in a safe spot until it dries solid, then the hardened tin goes in general waste in most councils.
- Solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides A household hazardous waste program or permanent drop-off. Never mix containers.
Household hazardous waste drop-off at the ACT resource management centres: free at Mugga Lane and Mitchell for small household quantities, within published per-visit limits.
Nearest drop-off: Recyclopaedia — the ACT A to Z guide to recycling, reuse and disposal
Where can I take old paint in Canberra?
The Mugga Lane and Mitchell resource management centres accept household paint free in their hazardous waste area, within the published per-visit limits. Those limits match what Paintback publishes nationally, and the drop-off is free for households and professional painters alike. Keep paint in its original labelled container so staff can see what it is.
Can paint tins go in the bin in the ACT?
Only when the paint inside is water-based and has dried solid. Leave the lid off somewhere safe and out of reach until it hardens, then the tin goes in the red lid general waste bin. Dry brushes and dry rollers can go in there too. Wet paint, oil-based paint and solvents never go in an ACT bin.
What do I do with pool chemicals, pesticides or an unlabelled bottle?
Take them to the hazardous waste area at Mugga Lane or Mitchell, free for small household quantities. Liquid hazardous waste such as cleaning agents, pool chemicals, pesticides and poisons is accepted, along with fluorescent tubes and bulbs, batteries and automotive fuel in a metal container or approved jerry can, all within the published per-visit limits. Never mix containers.
Why can't it go down the drain in Canberra?
Because nothing here is set up to treat it. The ACT states it has no liquid waste disposal facility, so unwanted liquid paint and chemicals leave the territory for treatment interstate. The ACT rule is that no chemical goes down a drain, onto the ground or into a sewer, and that includes tipping a bottle out to empty it.
Need it gone this week?
Compare council collection, recycling and pickup options on the skip bin hire page for Canberra.