Waste experts have warned that several common kitchen cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals and must never be disposed of in household bins. With spring cleaning underway, BusinessWaste.co.uk is advising consumers to check packaging and local council rules before throwing away items such as oven cleaners, bleach, and drain cleaners.
While many plastic bottles from washing-up liquid and laundry detergents can be recycled if empty and rinsed, other products are too dangerous for general waste. These include corrosive, toxic, or reactive substances that can harm the environment and pose risks to waste workers.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, households have a duty of care to dispose of waste properly. Repeatedly placing hazardous chemicals in general waste could result in fines of £80 to £600, depending on the council and offence.
Mark Hall, waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “Many people mistakenly believe any cleaning products bought in a shop are fine to bin, but many can be hazardous. It’s important to consult packaging and local council rules.” He added that natural alternatives are often just as effective and safer to dispose of.
Recyclable items include empty aerosol cans (with plastic caps removed) and clean cardboard packaging, but wet wipes – even those labelled ‘flushable’ – should go in general waste. Contaminated cardboard must also be binned to avoid recycling contamination.
