Hard Rubbish Collection: 10 Bin Mistakes | Full Guide by JunkLift
You can place general household waste in a Perth Council bin. However, you can’t put some items in these household bins. The following items are problematic: Paint, Chemicals, furniture, and batteries.
People who know how to dispose of these and other items properly will have a better experience dealing with waste workers, residents, and the public.
It also makes waste removal procedures safer and more sustainable. Research suggests that if you Google “Hard Rubbish collection in Perth“, residents who are looking for it should always learn the policies first.
1. Paint, Fuel and Flammable Liquids
To collect garbage, we recommend that you do not place cans of paint, petrol, diesel and other flammable liquids in the waste collection bins. Even small quantities may pose a fire risk to waste collection vehicles and plants. In addition, many household products can negatively affect the environment, particularly our soil and water systems.
Evidence shows that putting liquids down the drain can also be dangerous.
What you can do instead:
- Store liquids in their original containers.
- Never mix chemicals in the same container.
- Use approved waste disposal services for household chemicals.
- Read the container label before handling.
- If the container is leaking, consult your waste disposal service before handling.
2. Batteries and E-Waste
Evidence indicates that batteries can start fires when crushed or punctured in waste collection systems. Lithium-ion batteries have been identified as a potential cause of fires and are found in many portable devices, including mobile phones, tablets, power tools, and electric scooters.
General waste should not include televisions, computers, printers, or other electrical appliances, as studies show they can contain valuable materials that require special disposal.
Remove batteries for safe disposal at a device recycling station or e-waste collection point before putting items out for general collection. Separate these items before booking the “Hard Rubbish collection” service.
3. Asbestos and Suspected Asbestos
These materials have serious health risks and may be present in various building materials used in the construction of your older residential or commercial building.
This can include, for example, cement sheets, roofing material, and some wall linings. Leave suspected asbestos untouched; do not put it into the bin. If broken apart and disturbed, the fibres will become airborne and can be breathed in.
Stop work and call a licensed asbestos removalist if you believe you may have asbestos-containing material. It is best not to remove asbestos unless you are sure of the regulations.
If you’re disposing of building waste properly, JunkLift is here for you. JunkLift doesn’t need professional rubbish removal.
4. Gas Bottles and Aerosols
Gas bottles, camping cylinders, and aerosols contain pressurised gas and may explode or ignite if crushed in a collection vehicle. Even if you believe a gas bottle to be empty, there may still be some residual gas left inside. Do not dispose of gas bottles in the residual waste bin; take them to a specified recycling collection point and follow the supplier’s disposal instructions.
Do not cut, burn or puncture a gas bottle.
If you are unsure of how to transport a gas cylinder safely, contact the supplier or an approved waste management facility.
5. Medicines and Sharp Items
Items like expired medicines, needles, and syringes are hazardous waste because they are dangerous.
Disposing of these items in the garbage waste bin is dangerous for waste staff and harmful to the environment. Do not dispose of loose needles in the garbage, and do not flush unused medicines down the toilet unless a registered health practitioner directs you to do so.
The best way to dispose of medicines safely is through a certified pharmacy and council programmes that collect illegal medicines.
Place needles and other sharps in separate sharps containers.
When you schedule a “Hard Rubbish Collection”, it is recommended that you separate sharps and other medical waste from your regular household garbage waste bin and place them in a licensed medical waste collection.
6. Large Furniture & Appliances
Research shows that large items, like sofas, mattresses, wardrobes, fridge-freezers, and washing machines, are generally too large to fit into normal household waste bins. These items are difficult to compress, and forcing them into a bin can rupture it and create dangers for waste collection operatives.
Large appliances may also contain refrigerants, electrical components, or other materials that require specialist disposal.
If the local authority hasn’t set a collection date, don’t leave large items next to waste bins; some local authorities offer call-out collections, but this isn’t always available.
JunkLift helps with large furniture and appliances through its “Bulk Refuse Collection” service, but it is best to check eligibility criteria with the operator.
7. Garden waste and tree branches
Grass clippings, leaves, weeds and tree branches are sometimes not suitable for every council bin. Evidence shows that some Perth councils provide a separate bin for garden organics. Still, most tree branches are likely to be larger than the size limit for garden organics, so it may be wise to check whether soil, stones, or treated timber should be handled in a specific way.
Check with your council whether you are using the right waste service, whether the bin size suits your situation, and whether the service meets your needs. Do not place plastic bags or non-organic waste in the garden waste bin.
If you have a large yard or need to do heavy gardening work, it may be more efficient to consider other options, such as “Bulky waste collection“.
8. Construction & Renovation Waste
Construction Materials like concrete, bricks, tiles, plasterboard, and large volumes of timber can damage bins and the machinery used for waste collection.
They will also usually add extra weight to the homeowner’s bins and waste collection. It may be best to separate waste by material, as some materials can be recycled or taken to a waste disposal or recycling yard.
Don’t dump construction rubbish in a household rubbish container; Residents should be able to arrange personal skip hire, rubbish disposal, and trash removal services.
Also, confirm beforehand whether “Hard Rubbish collection” services permit this type of waste before you book. Check with JunkLift to find the most suitable rubbish collection service for your waste.
9. Food Waste & Liquids off Bin
Food waste, cooking oil & liquids may cause smell, leaching, attract pests or Wildlife, and contaminate recyclables. Use the Council Food Organics or Residual Waste collections service, according to your local council’s policy. It is also suggested that you do not put cooking oil down the drain.
If you have large quantities of food waste, call an approved organic waste or commercial waste collection service, as treatment depends on waste type and quantity.
Also, keeping your bin clean and using it correctly helps collection run more smoothly and supports safe waste treatment.
10. Chemicals, Pesticides and Cleaning Products
Strong cleaning products, pesticides, pool chemicals, and other hazardous substances may need to be disposed of safely because they can interact with other waste or enter the environment. Do not mix hazardous waste with other materials to make disposal easier. Keep labels, avoid mixing chemicals, keep out of reach of children and animals, and use an approved household hazardous waste disposal service.
If the chemical is unknown, then the manufacturer or local council may be able to advise.
JunkLift may remove most types of household waste, but some dangerous chemicals will require a specialist operator, so check before booking ‘Rubbish removal’.
Common Mistakes
Don’t do the following even if you understand the basics:
- Putting batteries or gas bottles in your general waste bin.
- Throwing heavy furniture on the roadside without considering collection dates.
- Mixing dangerous chemicals with your normal waste.
- Breaking asbestos or other potentially dangerous substances.
- Loading the rubbish into the bin higher than the lid and making it too heavy to empty.
- Believing that all waste companies will take any waste.
Always check local council’s waste guide before putting unusual objects into a waste bin.
How JunkLift Can Help With Your Hard Rubbish Collection
Moving out of a House or Garage: Dump all of your Junk somewhere. When you want to clear out a house or garage, it can be easy to throw all your Junk together. Some trash is easy to throw away, but other items require special disposal.
JunkLift may help you dispose of unwanted household items with a convenient, responsible solution. Request a list of items they will remove and a description of disposal methods before you book.
You can also request conditions for removing heavy construction rubbish, asbestos, chemicals, and other hazardous materials to prevent delays. Finally, ask about specialized bulk-refuse collection for large-scale cleanups.
FAQs
Can I dispose of a broken sofa in my council bin?
No. A sofa is too bulky for a normal household bin.
Check your council’s bulky waste collection policy, or find a removal company that you trust.
Can batteries be allowed in the recycling bin?
You can’t place loose batteries in the recycling bin. They must go to an approved batteries recycling center.
Where do I put my old paint?
Put your old paint in its original container, then take it to an approved household hazardous waste center.
You should not pour paint down the drain. Can I put wood and twiggy branches in my garden bin? Twiggy and small branches might be acceptable for your council’s garden organics service.
Larger branches will have size restrictions, so find out first.
Does JunkLift take all household rubbish?
No. This depends on the type of waste, its condition, whether it requires specific disposal, and the type of refuse.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to do the right thing. Proper use of your council bin prevents dangerous substances, batteries, asbestos, bulky furniture and other inappropriate items from reaching the waste facility and becoming a hazard to residents and the environment.
If you’re one of the many residents clearing clutter at home, pre-sorting makes disposing of hard rubbish easier. With the right advice and the appropriate service, like JunkLift, it can be safe and well managed.


