Queensland · Brisbane
Paint and chemical disposal in Brisbane
In Queensland there is no state-branded household hazardous waste program. Leftover paint goes free to a Paintback drop-off, which takes up to 100 litres a visit in containers of 20 litres or less. Solvents, pool chemicals and pesticides go to your council's resource recovery centre or a council drop-off day. Never down a drain.
Sources Paintback location finderQueensland Government: don't bin your batteriesRecycle Mate
What do I do with paint & chemicals in QLD?
- 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 chemical drop-offs here run through councils rather than a single state program. Check your council’s hazardous waste days.
Nearest drop-off: Recycle Mate — find your nearest
Where can I take old paint in Queensland?
Paintback operates throughout Australia, Queensland included, at over 165 locations, and it is free for households. It accepts up to 100 litres per visit in containers of up to 20 litres each, and it takes the packaging as well as the paint. Find your nearest site through Paintback's own location finder at paintback.com.au, because sites change.
Can I put paint tins in the bin in Queensland?
Only if the paint is water-based and has dried solid. Leave the lid off in a safe spot away from children and pets until it hardens, then check your own council's advice before the tin goes in the red-lid bin. Wet paint, oil-based paint and solvents never go in any Queensland kerbside bin, and never down a drain.
What do I do with pool chemicals, pesticides or an unlabelled bottle in Queensland?
Queensland has no state-branded hazardous waste program, so this is handled at council level: a council resource recovery centre, or one of the free drop-off days councils run and advertise themselves. Check your council for what it accepts and when. Keep chemicals in their original containers, never mix them, and do not tip anything out to empty a bottle.
Why can't it go down the drain?
Stormwater grates in Queensland cities run to the creek, the river and the ocean untreated, so anything poured into one arrives there. The sewer is not built for solvents either. Nothing goes down a drain, into a stormwater grate, or onto the ground, however small the amount looks in the tin.
Need it gone this week?
Compare council collection, recycling and pickup options on the skip bin hire page for Brisbane.