The red list
What we can't take — and where it can go
One question before every job: do you have any of these? If yes, we'll point you to the right drop-off. Everything else, we take.
One question before every job: do you have any of these? If yes, we'll point you to the right drop-off. Everything else, we take.
| Red-list item | Looks like | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos or suspected asbestos | Fibro sheeting, eaves, old vinyl floor tiles, ‘super six’ roofing, pre-1990 bathroom linings | Never — at any size. Licensed asbestos removalist; council asbestos drop-off (wrapped, booked) |
| Chemicals, paint, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals | Liquid paint, thinners, weed killer, chlorine, acids, unknown drums | Never. Council household chemical collection (free for residents); paint via Paintback |
| Fuel, oil, gas bottles, aerosols in bulk | Petrol, diesel, engine oil, LPG/BBQ bottles, fire extinguishers | Never. Oil → council transfer station; gas bottles → swap outlet or council |
| Needles, sharps, clinical or biological waste | Syringes, medical waste, animal remains, sewage | Never. Pharmacy sharps bins; council; vet |
| Food and putrescible waste | Rotting food, fridge contents, nappies | Never on the truck. Empty the fridge first — we take the fridge |
| Loose, damaged or swollen lithium batteries | Power-tool packs, e-bike/scooter batteries, laptop batteries out of the device | Never loose. Devices with batteries still inside are fine. B-cycle drop-off at Bunnings/Officeworks |
| Ammunition, firearms, fireworks, explosives, flares | Any | Never. Police station (firearms/ammo); marine flare collection |
| Broken, crushed or smashed solar panels and smashed e-waste | Shattered glass panels, crushed TVs | Only intact. Intact panels priced per panel; e-waste recycled under the national scheme. Broken → quote as regulated waste via a licensed facility |
| Contaminated soil, tyres in bulk, car bodies | Soil with hydrocarbons, >10 tyres, vehicles | Case by case — call us |
Based on Junkbird's crew training (Modules 4 and 6: the Red List; regulated waste, asbestos and dangerous goods) and the Queensland Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 schedule 9. Pending WHS and legal review — DRAFT.
Queensland law classes most of them as regulated waste or dangerous goods, which need a licensed transporter and a licensed facility. Asbestos is a crew-safety line we draw harder than the law requires — none, at any size. Keeping them off the truck is what keeps our crews safe and our prices honest.
It stays. The crew photographs it, the rest of the job proceeds, and the dispatcher sends you the right drop-off option. No charge for the item; no argument on the driveway.
Yes — fridges and air-cons are degassed legally, TVs and computers are recycled under the national scheme, and intact solar panels come with a certificate of recovery.
Gold Coast and Brisbane councils run free household chemical and asbestos drop-offs for residents, Paintback takes paint, B-cycle takes batteries. Links are on this page and your dispatcher will text them to you.
60-second quote · all tip fees included · recovery report on every job.
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