Community Recycling Centre
Update – Plastics collection pause at the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC)
Council currently remains unable to collect soft and hard plastics at the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC), due to the loss of our previous service provider.
We appreciate the patience of our community while we work to resolve the matter. Please bear with us until this service can be re-established.
Council is actively investigating new service providers, however there is a shortage of reliable and established soft plastics recyclers based in NSW. Transporting plastics to other states is less affordable and sustainable for 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.
Updated 21.02.2025
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.
 | 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. |
 | Eyeglasses - Including spectacles and sunglasses Tip: Make sure your eyeglasses are fit for reuse as items are redistributed to people in need through Lions Recycle for Sight Australia program. |
| 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. |
| Mobile phones – All types, old and new. |
| 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. |
| X-rays – Please remove from envelopes. |
 | Fire Extinguishers Any type used in the home. |
 | 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. |
 | Household batteries Single use and rechargeable batteries. All sizes and types. |
 | 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. |
 | Smoke Detectors Any type used in the home. |
 | Soft Plastics recycling temporarily suspended. |
 | Spray cans All aerosol canisters including spray paint, varnish, WD40, fly spray etc. |
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