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Are there any dangerous items I should be aware of on a clean-up?

Yes, look out for these items below and make sure you avoid handling anything dangerous.

You should always be mindful of what you pick up during beach clean-ups. Make sure to wear gloves when you clean-up as a first layer of protection.

Dangerous and very hazardous items

Make safety your number one consideration. 

If you find any of the following items, do not attempt to open/move/touch them and send someone to contact the clean-up coordinator/local police/emergency services/local rangers (as appropriate). Take some pictures to help authorities determine the right course of action.

  • military ordinance - bombs, etc.

  • industrial explosives and detonators

  • containers bearing a radioactive warning

  • large containers of toxic chemicals

  • asbestos

  • anything similar you consider to fit into this item class.

Asbestos Safety

Asbestos (a generic term for a range of fibrous silicate minerals) has been widely used in the past and can be present in asbestos-cement, fibro sheeting, guttering, downpipes, roofing shingles, and more.

If you find asbestos

  1. DO NOT TOUCH. Inhaling this fibre can cause serious health issues and should not be handled.

  2. Mark the area with sticks and brightly coloured tape.
  3. Alert the clean-up coordinator immediately.

Syringe Safety 

If you find a syringe, it is important that you handle it correctly to avoid a needle stick injury, which can be dangerous and lead to health issues. 

  1. Collect the syringe using your allocated syringe container (not a drink bottle or similar)

  2. Bring the sharps container to the syringe, not the other way around. 
  3. Wearing gloves, carefully pick up the object using a pair of tongs and place it in the container, sharp end first.
  4. Make sure the lid is on securely before moving it. 
  5. After collection, wash your hands with soap and water (or antiseptic hand wipe)
  6. After the event, take the container to a syringe disposal point (hospital, council or health care centre).

At no time should needles or syringes be touched directly with bare hands, and no attempts should be made to cover, break or bend the needle.

In the event of a needle stick injury

  1. Stay calm; the risk of infection by HIV or hepatitis from a needle stick sustained in the environment is extremely low (compared to in a medical setting).

  2. Wash the area with soap and running water (or if not available, an alcohol-based hand rinse).
  3. Apply an antiseptic and a band-aid.
  4. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible from your local doctor or hospital.


Silver Canister Safety

Silver canisters are filled with aluminium phosphide pellets and can be fatal to ingest or inhale.

  1. DO NOT TOUCH IT. Stand upwind to avoid possible inhalation.
  2. Mark the area with sticks and brightly coloured tape.
  3. Alert the clean-up coordinator immediately or call 000.

Read more: What if I find a silver canister?

Other Hazardous Materials

  • Broken glass and light bulbs - securely wrap or enclose before disposal.

  • Fluorescent light tubes - contain mercury – contact your local government authority for advice on disposal.
  • Chemical light stick/glow stick - contains a mix of toxic chemicals – contact your local government authority for advice on disposal.
  • Containers with oil, flammable material or paint - contact your local government authority for advice on disposal.
  • Fishing line - to minimise the risk of entanglement at the landfill site, place in a secure bag or container before disposal. Do not attempt to melt or incinerate fishing line or any other plastic item, as toxic chemicals, including dioxins, are released during heating and burning.