Disposal of Asbestos Materials

Asbestos is a hazardous waste and must be disposed of correctly at a licensed site.

Asbestos fibres are hazardous when inhaled and can be released into the air when asbestos products are incorrectly handled, stored or transported for disposal. It is important to ensure that asbestos waste has been wetted and sealed in heavy-duty plastic prior to transportation.

Asbestos materials are described as either ‘bonded’ or ‘friable’. Both types of material can be disposed of at specialised sites in the Midcoast area, however there are different requirements for these products.

Bonded asbestos material means any material (other than friable asbestos material) that contains asbestos. Bonded asbestos cannot be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry.

Common uses for bonded asbestos in buildings include flat (fibro) corrugated or compressed asbestos cement sheets, water, drainage / flue pipes and floor tiles.

If fire, hail or water blasting damages bonded asbestos, it may become friable asbestos material.

Friable asbestos material is any material that contains asbestos and is in the form of a powder or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry.

Friable asbestos was not commonly used in the home, it was mainly used in industrial applications.

Friable asbestos should only be removed by a specialised asbestos removal contractor with a friable asbestos licence. Licenced contractors can be found in the Yellow Pages under Asbestos Removal and/or Treatment.

Residents within the Midcoast Region can dispose of asbestos at one of the below sites, however they must ensure that they follow all guidelines listed below.

It is also important to always contact the landfill beforehand to see if there are any additional requirements for delivering asbestos.

Disposal Facilities:

Midcoast residents can deliver asbestos materials to Gloucester, Bucketts Way or Stroud Landfill facilities. Residents must complete an Application to Dispose of Asbestos Form and the landfill must be notified a minimum of 48 hours prior to disposal. Residents must also ensure that they follow all disposal procedures as outlined on the application form.

Gloucester Landfill is located at 385 Thunderbolts Way and can be contacted by calling 0467 581 420.

Bucketts Way Landfill is located on the Bucketts Way between Taree South and Tinonee and can be contacted on (02) 6551 5266.

Stroud Landfill and Recycling Centre is located on Simmsville Road, Stroud and can be contacted on (02) 4994 5699.

 

For more information on these facilities including opening hours visit our facilities page.