Community Recycling Centre
Christmas/New Year closures
Closed from 12pm midday Tuesday, 24 December 2024 reopening 8:30am Thursday, 2 January 2025.
Please note changed traffic conditions are active during the Community Recycling Centre’s busy period.
In the lead up to Christmas, and on reopening in the new year, there is high demand causing queues and delays. Traffic management controls will be in place.
If you have excess cardboard or mixed recycling, the Mount Kuring-gai Household Recycling Drop Off Area is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 5 Beaumont Road, Mount Kuring-gai.
To avoid a long wait at the Thornleigh CRC, sort your waste before you visit, consider postponing your visit to later in January, and ensure you follow traffic and site safety instructions.
If you are dropping off items including batteries, clothing, visit our A-Z Guide for alternative recycling options.
Important Notice – Plastics collection pause at the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC)
Council remains unable to recommence collections of soft and hard plastics at the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC).
Our previous plastics recycling partner continues to have ongoing delays in relocating and re-establishing their processing operations in Sydney, meaning this recycling option remains unavailable. We continue to remain in contact with this provider to monitor their progress.
Council is actively investigating alternative service providers, however there is a major shortage of reliable and established recyclers based in NSW. Transporting waste to other states has the added costs of transport which make these options less affordable for our community.
While there may be public reports of viable soft plastics recyclers currently accepting soft plastics, Council must be satisfied that these recycling processors are sound, that recycled products have viable markets, and the providers operations are viable. Where processors are stockpiling waste and their recycling plants are not fully operational, Council considers such providers too high risk.
We ask our community to understand that following the Australian Government’s waste export bans it will take several years, possibly decades, for our recycling infrastructure to develop and grow in capacity. This major structural adjustment, where we process more recyclables on shore in Australia, will take a considerable period to achieve success. Unfortunately there is no quick fix to developing the required recycling infrastructure to meet the needs of our community.
We ask our community to not stockpile soft or hard plastics at home, and instead dispose of items in your red-lidded garbage bin until Council is able to recommence this recycling service.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work towards the best recycling outcomes for our 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.
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. 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). Electrical appliances such as toasters and kettles are NOT accepted. Tip: Erase all personal data from your e-waste device. Refer to manufacturer instructions or search online for data wiping service or software. |
 | 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.
Tip: Please tightly close values. |
 | Hard Plastics recycling temporarily suspended. |
 | 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. |
 | 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.
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.
CRC Site Safety and Entry Conditions
- Follow all instructions from staff
- Only acceptable items are permitted to be dropped off
- This is a drive-through facility only; no walk-ins
- Turn off your engine and secure park brake
- Children and pets must remain inside the vehicle
- Items cannot be placed on the floor
- Do not throw items into bins
- No mobile phone use
- Enclosed footwear must be worn
- No scavenging
- No smoking or vaping
- Follow posted speed limits