FAQ – Asbestos Disposal and Removal, How to Do It Safely

If handled incorrectly, asbestos can be hazardous due to the nature of asbestos fibres and the ease at which they can be released into the air. It is important that you follow safe handling, storage and asbestos disposal procedures to minimise the risk of asbestos related diseases happening to you or people around you. This article focuses on the types of asbestos commonly found in residential homes.

When removing asbestos from your home, do no break it into smaller pieces to fit into bags or bins. This will release dangerous fibres into the air.

Once you have removed asbestos products from your home you should wet the waste and keep it damp to minimise the release of dust and fibres. In doing so, it’s important to remember not to use too much water so that runoff doesn’t enter drains. Once wet, you should cover the waste in heavy duty plastic and secure with strong adhesive tape. This will ensure no dust can escape.

The asbestos should be stored securely in an area away from any other types of waste to minimise unauthorised access to it. Once stored, you should aim to remove and dispose of it from the site as soon as possible.

If you plan to use a skip bin to store the asbestos waste that you remove from your home, you should ensure that the bin is fully lined with heavy duty plastic before placing any asbestos rubbish into it. As discussed, this waste should also be kept damp. It is important that you do not overfill the skip, and ensure that the bin is covered and secured when full.

You should check with your local authorities as to whether you need a licence to transport asbestos waste. Some jurisdictions make it illegal to remove asbestos yourself, let alone transport it, so be sure you find out what laws apply to you before starting an asbestos removal project.

If you are allowed to transport it, be sure you have wetted and securely packaged the asbestos waste prior to loading it into your vehicle. Only take it to landfill sites that lawfully accept asbestos waste. Your local authorities can advise you of your nearest landfill site. Once you have dumped the waste, ensure no residual asbestos waste remains in your vehicle.

We recommend you use a qualified asbestos removal specialist for all asbestos disposal, transportation and removal. However, if you choose to do it yourself then this guide should help minimise the risks to your family.