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Hazardous waste

Hazardous waste is waste that is toxic to human health and the environment due to its chemical or physical properties. It requires special handling and disposal in order to avoid creating a public health risk or contaminating the environment.

Categories of hazardous waste

Hazardous waste is divided into several categories depending on their level of risk to public health and the environment:

Hazardous waste rating:

HR1 – Extreme hazard
HR2 – High hazard
HR3 – Moderate hazard
HR4 – Low hazard

The City’s drop-off facilities do not accept hazardous waste that is classed as extreme (HR1) or high-risk (HR2). This includes explosives, high-risk medical waste and other highly toxic or infectious waste. A specialist hazardous waste disposal contractor can assist with the safe removal and disposal of these materials. Private companies can assist in this regard.

Moderate to low-risk hazardous waste

Hazardous waste that is classed as moderate (HR3) or low-risk (HR4) is accepted at Vissershok landfill site. Such waste is typically produced by industry and may include household products such as cleaning agents, batteries, cooking oil and other materials. However, approval from the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) is required before the facility will accept this form of waste.

Small volumes (limit of 50kg / 50l per person per day) of hazardous household waste such as cleaning waste, lighting waste and used oil of residential origin can be taken to the Athlone Refuse Transfer Station or the Bellville Integrated Waste Management Facility’s hazardous household waste drop-off.

Hazardous waste in the home

Household hazardous waste refers to the small quantities of hazardous waste generated in your home.

These include the following:

Cleaning chemicals
Pool chemicals
Garage waste (e.g. automotive oils)
Lighting
Electronic waste (e.g. old cellphones, computers and printer cartridges)

Many cleaning products we use around the home contain chemicals and substances such as ammonia, chlorine and bleach that can be harmful to both us and the environment. Even everyday items like batteries are considered harmful as some contain sulphuric acid.

It’s important that you take the correct safety precautions when dealing with hazardous household waste so as not to cause harm to yourself, your household or the environment. Always consult safety data sheets before storing or handling such waste.

Remember

You can never completely dispose of hazardous waste safely – so before buying an item, ask yourself: How will I dispose of this? Is there a less harmful alternative?

Hazardous waste in the community

Illegal dumping can expose a community to hazardous waste which is not only harmful to the natural environment, but poses serious health risks. If you are helping to clean your community, be very careful of how you handle waste – whether on the streets, in a river, or on a vacant piece of land. While we encourage community participation, please speak to the City first, especially if you believe the waste to be dangerous.

How to handle hazardous waste

Always check if a product is hazardous before handling it or storing it away. If you would like to request a safety data sheet for a specific product, please consult the supplier – they are required by law to supply you with one.

For important tips on how to handle different types of dangerous waste, please read or download our factsheets below:

Hazardous Waste: Asbestos
Hazardous Waste: Batteries
Hazardous Waste: CFL and Discharge Lamps
Hazardous Waste: Chemical Products
Hazardous Waste: Healthcare Risk Waste
Hazardous Waste: Pesticides

Please note

We only accept small quantities of household hazardous waste from residents. Industrial or business clients must contract with hazardous waste service providers and will need to obtain special waste permit.

Disposal of chemical or manufactured waste

Disposal of hazardous waste must comply with the national hazardous waste classification and disposal regulations. Consult our Disposal Guide for Chemical or Manufactured Waste and E-waste for detailed information on correct disposal procedures and facilities which accept this form of waste, including:

Household cleaning products
Lighting waste
Batteries
Paint waste and empty paint containers
Tyres
Asbestos

Please note: We no longer accept liquid waste at landfills, including used oils.

Disposal of electronic waste (e-waste)

Businesses generate a huge amount of electronic waste and often don't dispose of it correctly. If your business uses or produces e-waste, please take note of our disposal guidelines. for e-waste including:

Printer and toner cartridges
Cellphones
Computers
White appliances (fridges, irons, stoves)
Brown appliances (radios and TVs)

The main e-waste service for businesses in the city is the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP), which helps businesses to develop symbiotic recycling systems for profitability and sustainability. Read more about their service offering on the GreenCape website.

To learn more about disposing of electronic waste, see eWASA, the e-Waste Association of South Africa .

Disposal of healthcare waste

Used healthcare or medical products are dangerous because they may be contaminated by infectious disease. If not handled correctly, they become a serious health risk to anyone who comes into contact with them.

Disposal regulations

If your business or organisation disposes of hazardous medical waste, you will need to comply with provincial health care risk waste management regulations, as well as local regulations, listed in the Integrated Waste Management By-law and the Amended Integrated Waste Management By-law to ensure your waste management plan is in line with all legislation.

Please note

Waste removal service companies disposing of hazardous waste will need to obtain a special waste permit.

Remember that sanitary waste is also considered healthcare waste. Recognised sanitary waste companies must be used to provide this service to any building where sanitary waste is separated for disposal.

Household medical waste such as used bandages, plasters, expired medicine and sanitary waste (tampons and pads) as well as dirty nappies may be disposed of along with your other household waste. However, needles and non-expired pharmaceuticals need to be taken to a government health facility for responsible disposal.

For further guidance, please read our Hazardous Waste: Healthcare Risk Waste guide.