Community Recycling Centre
Temporary pause – Hard and soft Plastics at Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC)
Please note that from Friday 8 September, a pause on collection of soft and hard plastics at the CRC will be in place for around four weeks.
The pause is necessary as our plastics processor, Plasmar, relocates premises for a planned major expansion in processing capacity.
Unfortunately, the CRC and Plasmar will not able to cope with surge in materials at the end of this pause. Please dispose of your plastics as waste during this period.
Our thanks to the community for your understanding as we work toward an increased capacity for plastics recycling and an even stronger partnership with Plasmar that will further enhance the Circular Economy in Hornsby Shire.
Location: 29 Sefton Road, Thornleigh (see site map)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 8.30am-4pm; Saturday, 8.30am-12pm; Closed Public Holidays
The Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC) allows residents to safely dispose of problem wastes that cannot go into household garbage bins or kerbside collection.
This is a free service for NSW households. Soft plastics, hard plastics and polystyrene can only be dropped off by Hornsby Shire residents. Proof of residency (drivers licence or rates notices) is required.
Please note: The CRC is a drive-through facility only. For safety purposes and to ensure the flow of traffic at the facility, we are unable to accept waste that is not delivered by vehicle.
Residents can drop off the following items for FREE. For items not listed below please refer to the A-Z Waste and Recycling Guide.
 | Blister packs (empty tablet packaging) – e.g. paracetamol, throat lozenges or other tablet trays.
This item is accepted from Hornsby Shire residents only. Proof of residency is required. Tip: Blister packs must be empty. Some leftover medications can be returned to participating hospitals and pharmacies. |
 | Car and motorcycle batteries – All sizes and types.
Tip: Wear gloves when handling. |
 | Clothing, accessories and linen – Including hats, belts, shoes, bags, linen and towels. Other household textiles including rugs, curtains, pillows, doonas and stuffed toys are NOT accepted. Tip: Only wearable and reusable clothing, accessories and linen are accepted, as items are collected for reuse. |
| Electronic Waste – Televisions, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, PC monitors, loose hard drives, keyboards, plastic computer speakers, motherboards, video and sound cards, printers (with toners removed), scanners, network devices, set top boxes, mice, other computer parts, cables, IT accessories, gaming equipment, web cameras, stereo equipment, DVD and VCR players, CD and DVD discs (discs only not the covers). Electronic appliances such as toasters and kettles are NOT accepted. |
 | Fire Extinguishers – Any type used in the home. |
 | Flattened cardboard – Sheets of clean cardboard or excess flattened boxes that do not fit in yellow lid bin at home. Paper and books are also accepted. Tip: Flatten boxes before coming to the CRC. |
 | Fluorescent light globes and tubes – All types. Light fittings are NOT accepted |
 | Gas Bottles – Any type used for BBQ, camping or caravan. Oxygen, butane, helium etc canisters are also accepted. |
 | Hard Plastics recycling temporarily suspended. More information. |
 | Household batteries – Single use and rechargeable batteries. All sizes and types. Tip: Remove packaging for unused batteries. |
 | Mobile phones – All types, old and new. |
 | Motor oils – Containers of sump oil, engine oil, two and four stroke oil, lubricating oil etc. |
 | Other oils – Containers of cooking oils, auto transmission fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant etc . |
  | Paint – Oil based and water based tins of paint in liquid form. Solvent based paint, metallic enamel paint and epoxy paint are also accepted. Tip: Paint is only accepted sealed and in its original packaging. Paint glass jugs or paint trays are not accepted. Find out more about hazardous waste |
 | Polystyrene – Accepting clean, white rigid Polystyrene from packaging without sticky tape from small and large appliances, white fruit and vegetable boxes, bean bags. Number 6 only. No coloured, waxy or flexible foam, packaging beans, meat trays or takeaway food containers. This item is accepted from Hornsby Shire residents only. Proof of residency is required. |
 | Printer cartridges – All sizes and types. Liquid and powder toners. Tip: Remove all packaging for unused cartridges. |
 | Smoke Detectors – Any type used in the home. Tip: Batteries must be removed. |
 | Soft Plastics recycling temporarily suspended. More information. |
 | Spray cans – All aerosol canisters including spray paint, varnish, WD40, fly spray etc. Find out more about hazardous waste |
 | X-rays – Please remove from envelopes. |
For items not listed above please refer to the A-Z Waste and Recycling Guide.
Only household quantities and container sizes of these materials will be accepted.
For enquiries contact Council’s Waste Hotline: 13 70 30.
Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC) Site Rules
- Visitors must follow the instructions of staff members in the CRC
- The CRC is a drive-through facility only, walk-ins are prohibited
- Vehicles must park in a designated bay and turn their engine off before unloading items
- Visitors must stay inside their vehicle until it is parked in a designated bay
- Children and pets must remain inside their vehicle
- Footwear must be worn in the facility
- Items should not be placed on the CRC floor when avoidable
- Do not throw items into containers in the CRC
Storing and transporting your waste
Please handle and transport your materials carefully and safely. Wear gloves and protect your vehicle by placing items on a protective sheet or tray in the boot to capture any leaks or breaks.
This Community Recycling Centre is supported by the Environmental Trust as part of the NSW EPA’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative in partnership with Hornsby Shire Council.
