Batteries and light globes

Batteries and fluorescent lights contain harmful elements such as mercury, alkaline and lead acid, which can cause major environmental hazards and can also pose health risks if they end up in landfill. Central Coast Council has a free recycling program for residents to bring in their unwanted batteries, light globes and fluorescent tubes to nominated collection points.

Please note: Fluorescent tubes and light globes must be clean and unbroken to be accepted.

The free recycling of batteries and lamps is made possible by funding through the NSW EPA's Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.

Needles, sharps and syringes

Used syringes pose a health risk to the community and so safe disposal bins must be provided and used. Needle and syringe disposal bins can be found in hospital grounds, council amenity buildings, parks and reserves. Medical sharps can also be taken to participating pharmacies and public hospitals in a puncture-resistant container such as a coffee or paint tin.

Marine Flares

You can safely dispose of your old flares at one of the Roads and Maritime collections in November, January and April. Most flares have a use-by date of three years, and they must be replaced before the expiry date. Dates and locations of upcoming collections are available on the 1coast website.

Medicines

Unwanted or expired medicines should be returned to a local pharmacy for safe disposal by high temperature incineration. Medicines should not be disposed of in the general waste bin or poured into the sink or toilet as this could result in environmental damage.

For more information, visit the Return Unwanted Medicines Project web site.

Asbestos

Asbestos can have serious health implications if inappropriately handled. To learn more about where asbestos might be located in your home and how to manage it safely, visit our Asbestos page.

Central Coast asbestos disposal facilities

Asbestos originating from the Central Coast Local Government Area can be disposed of at our Buttonderry and Woy Woy Waste Management Facilities. For more information, visit our Waste Facilities page.