Important disposal information and illegal dumping

There are legal requirements for the safe disposal and dumping of asbestos.

  • Asbestos is a hazardous material that can have health effects to yourself and others if asbestos fibres become airborne
  • Asbestos waste is a regulated waste
  • Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a landfill site that can lawfully receive asbestos waste. The site is usually operated by your local council
  • A full list of local councils and their sites is available on the asbestos disposal information page
  • It is illegal to dispose of asbestos waste in domestic garbage bins
  • It is illegal to re-use, recycle or illegally dump asbestos products
  • It is illegal to store, sell or give away asbestos.

There are two options for disposing of asbestos:

  • Asbestos waste is double-wrapped in 0.2 mm thick plastic bags or sheeting, sealed with tape and labelled double wrapped and transported to a landfill site that accepts asbestos. There are also laws surrounding the transport of asbestos.

    Label all bags with an appropriate warning such as:

    CAUTION - ASBESTOS

    DO NOT DAMAGE OR OPEN BAG

    DO NOT INHALE DUST

  • Asbestos waste is placed into a plastic-lined industrial skip that may have been provided by a waste contractor with an environmental authority to transport regulated waste.

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