Hazardous waste / Farligt affald
See the most important Danish waste categories and how correct sorting helps materials move on to recycling.
Click a waste category to read more about it.
In short
Hazardous waste is waste that can harm people, the environment or waste facilities if discarded incorrectly. This includes chemicals, paint, batteries, spray cans, light bulbs and products with hazard symbols.
Common mistakes
- Hazardous waste must not be poured down the drain or placed in residual waste.
- Chemicals and cleaning products should be delivered in their original packaging when possible.
- Batteries, light bulbs and electronics must not be mixed with ordinary waste.
- Medicine residues usually belong at the pharmacy, not in the hazardous-waste box.
Safe or risky?
Small amounts can often be delivered locally
Small items such as batteries, small spray cans, nail polish, paint residues and chemicals can often be delivered through the municipality’s red box, hazardous-waste cabinet or recycling centre.
Never mix hazardous waste
Hazardous waste must be kept separate and closed securely. Do not mix chemicals, and label the container if you know what it contains.
Check local rules
Danish municipalities have different schemes for hazardous-waste boxes, cabinets, collection, pharmacy drop-off, asbestos, fireworks and larger amounts of hazardous waste. Find your municipality.
What is hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste includes items and substances that can harm people, animals or the environment if they are handled incorrectly. Examples include chemicals, paint, solvents, pesticides, spray cans, certain light bulbs, batteries and some cleaning products.
Why correct sorting matters
Hazardous waste should not be placed in ordinary residual waste. If it ends up in the wrong waste stream, harmful substances can pollute soil, water or air, or create risks during transport and treatment. In Denmark, hazardous waste is usually handed in through special municipal schemes, collection boxes or recycling centres.
FAQ about hazardous waste
What is hazardous waste?+
Hazardous waste is waste that may be toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive or harmful to the environment. Examples include paint, chemicals, batteries, spray cans, light bulbs and pesticides.
Can hazardous waste go in residual waste?+
No. Hazardous waste must be delivered through the municipality’s scheme, such as a hazardous-waste box, cabinet, recycling centre or dedicated collection point.
Where should medicine residues be delivered?+
Medicine residues should normally be returned to a pharmacy. Empty packaging without medicine residue is sorted by material.
What should I do with unknown chemicals?+
Deliver them as hazardous waste and do not mix them with anything else. If you know the contents, write it clearly on the container.
Is electronics hazardous waste?+
Electronics is usually a separate waste type, but it can contain environmentally harmful substances and batteries. It should be delivered through the electronics scheme or at a recycling centre.
Waste items sorted as hazardous waste / Farligt affald
Acetic acid
Acetone
Acetylene cylinder
Acid
Acrylic paint
Acrylic sealant
AdBlue
Aerosol can
Aftershave alcohol
Airbag
Alcohol spirit
Algae remover
Algae treatment product
Ampoule
Ant bait tin
Ant spray
Antifreeze
Artificial fertiliser
Asbestos
Asbestos sheet
Benzene
Bicycle oil
Bioethanol
Bleach
Bleach product
Brake cleaner
Brake fluid
Car care product
Caustic soda
Chemical bottle
Chemical with hazard label
Chemicals
Chlorhexidine
Citric acid
Cleaning benzine
Cleaning product
Cleaning product packaging
Clutch fluid
Colour cartridge
Colour remover
Compressed air can
Coolant
Corrosive caustic soda
Corrosive substances
Cosmetic makeup
Cosmetic residue
Cosmetics
Countertop oil
Cream charger
Deodorant spray can
Descaler
Descaler product
Developer fluid
Dishwasher tablet
Disinfectant
Disinfectant cleaner
Disposable vape
Drain cleaner
Dropper bottle
Dye
E-cigarette
Emergency flare
Energy-saving bulb
Epoxy paint varnish
Essential oil
Explosive waste
Fabric softener
Fertiliser
Fever thermometer
Filler
Firelighter
Fluorescent light tube
Fluorescent tube
Formalin
Fungicide
Furniture oil
Gas canister
Gas container
Gas cylinder
Gear oil
Glass cleaner
Glue
Glycol
Hair dye
Hair lacquer
Hair spray
Halogen bulb
Hand disinfectant
Hand sanitiser
Hazardous waste
Household spirit
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen peroxide
Ice pack
Incandescent bulb
Ink cartridge
Insecticide
Insulation material with asbestos
Kerosene
Laboratory waste
Lamp oil
Lamp socket
Laser cartridge
Laundry detergent
Lead
LED bulb
Light bulb
Lighter
Lighter fluid
Lighter gas
Limescale remover
Linseed oil
Liquid drain cleaner
Liquid latex
Lock spray
Low-energy bulb
Lye
Machine cleaner
Machine grease
Machine lubricant
Makeup
Meat thermometer
Mercury
Mercury barometer
Mercury lamp
Mercury thermometer
Metal packaging with hazard label
Mole poison
Mosquito bite balm
Mosquito spray
Motor oil
Motor oil container
Mouse poison
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Nitrous oxide cartridge
Oil filter
Oil residue
Oil tank
Oil-soaked cloth
Otrivin nasal spray
Oven cleaner
Oven cleaner spray can
Packaging with hazard label
Paint
Paint brush
Paint bucket
Paint bucket with residue
Paint can
Paint remover
Paint residue
Paint stripper
Paint thinner
Perfume
Permanent marker
Pest control product
Pest poison
Pesticide
Pesticides
Petrol
Photo chemicals
Plant fertiliser
Plant poison
Plastic container with hazard label
Plastic paint
Pressurised bottle
Printer cartridge
Printer toner cartridge
Propane container
Railway sleeper
Rat poison
Rens-let bottle
Resin
Rinse aid
Road salt
Scouring cream
Sealant
Sealant cartridge
Shaving foam
Shaving foam can
Shoe cream
Shoe polish
Silver polish
Skin tonic
Solder wire
Solvent
Sparkler
Spray bottle
Spray can
Stain sealer
Tanning tube
Theatre makeup
Thermal paste
Thermometer
Tile adhesive
Toilet cleaner
Toner cartridge
Turpentine
Vape coil
Varnish
Varnish remover
Washer fluid
Washing powder in cardboard packaging
Waste oil
WC cleaner
WD-40
Weed killer
Whipped cream can
Whipped cream dispenser
Window cleaner
Wood preservative
Wood stain
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