Asbestos transport and disposal

The transport and disposal of asbestos waste in Queensland is regulated through one of two frameworks:

• the regulated waste framework or
• the contaminated land framework.

The nature of the asbestos waste will determine the framework that applies. Both frameworks are administered by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) through the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

Regulated waste framework

Asbestos waste is regulated and must be disposed of safely, quickly and correctly. You must comply with the following when transporting and disposing of asbestos waste in Queensland:

• An environmental authority is required for transporting more than 175kg of asbestos waste.
• Waste tracking documentation is required by all commercial operators transporting any quantity of asbestos waste, and by non-commercial individuals (homeowners) if the waste exceeds 250kg.
• Asbestos waste must be appropriately packaged.
• Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a DESI approved waste disposal site that is licenced to receive and dispose of asbestos.

As a general guide, 175kg of typical flat asbestos cement sheet waste would occupy about a fifth of a normal household trailer. A quarter of a trailer would equate to approximately 250kg.

Contaminated land framework

The contaminated land framework may apply rather than regulated waste framework where the asbestos waste is asbestos contaminated soil. Land that is contaminated with a hazardous contaminant, including asbestos, may require listing on the department’s Environmental Management Register (EMR) or the Contaminated Land Register (CLR).  Where the property is not listed on the EMR or CLR, and asbestos is identified in the soil, a duty to notify (PDF, 351KB) the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation may exist.  Information about the contaminated land framework is found on the Queensland Government website.

Where land is already listed on the EMR, asbestos contaminated soil should be managed under a soil disposal permit process.

Soil Disposal Permits

Once land is listed on the EMR/CLR, it is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to remove and treat/dispose of that soil without a Soil Disposal Permit (SDP).  A SDP is obtained by application to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.  Find more information on applying for an SDP.

Asbestos in soil that is moved under an SDP must be done so in accordance with the conditions of that specific SDP. 

Regulated waste transport and disposal scenarios for homeowners and contractors

Example 1

A company is contracted to install telephone lines, connections and pits. This task involves removing less than 175kg of asbestos containing material (ACM) that will need transporting to a licensed landfill. An environmental authority is not required to transport the asbestos waste. The waste must be appropriately packaged for transport and disposal. Waste tracking documentation is required as the transportation is being undertaken on a commercial basis.

Example 2

A licensed asbestos removalist is contracted to remove asbestos cement sheeting generating 190kg of asbestos waste. Because the quantity of waste is greater than 175kg, an environmental authority to transport regulated waste is required for the vehicle being used to transport it. Although the asbestos cement sheeting is less than 250kg, the transport is an integral part (i.e. a primary objective) of the asbestos removal business and considered to be on a commercial basis. The removalist would therefore need to accurately record and submit waste tracking information to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

Example 3

A house that contained asbestos material is demolished by a licensed asbestos removalist contractor.  Once the house is removed, a soil scrape is undertaken to ensure any asbestos debris is removed prior to construction commencing. While this soil is potentially contaminated by asbestos, it would not represent contaminated land requiring notification to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.  This small amount of soil may be removed and transported under the regulated waste framework.

Example 4

A homeowner has removed ACM from their own home with a total of 230kg. The homeowner is transporting the ACM to a licensed landfill themselves. An environmental authority is required as the volume is greater than 175kg. Waste tracking is not required as the transportation is being undertaken on a non-commercial basis with less than 250kg.

Example 5

A contractor is engaged to specifically collect asbestos waste and transport it to landfill. In this case, the contractor would be undertaking regulated waste transport on a commercial basis and would need to accurately record and submit waste tracking information to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. If the quantity of asbestos was greater than 175kg, an environmental authority to transport the regulated waste would also be required for the vehicle being used to transport the waste.

Example 6

A civil earthmoving company is undertaking earthworks to allow subdivision of a previous rural block. During the earthworks, buried asbestos waste is identified. The earthmoving company holds a duty to notify the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation about the identification of a hazardous contaminant in soil. An appropriate assessment will need to be undertaken by a Suitably Qualified Person to determine the extent of contamination and what remediation works are required.

If once notified, the land is listed on the Environmental Management Register (EMR), the asbestos contaminated soil can only be removed under a Soil Disposal Permit (SDP). The company removing the soil must hold a SDP which is assessed and approved by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. The same SDP process would apply to land already listed on the EMR.