What is asbestos?
Asbestos can be found in products used in buildings, cars and ships. The most common type of asbestos is known as asbestos cement. It is typically used to make corrugated and flat sheets, which are often used in roofing.
All forms of asbestos can induce cancer and can cause asbestosis, a lung disease. Asbestos is hazardous waste and cannot be recycled or reused.
To find out more about the dangers of asbestos, visit the government’s webpage on .
How to dispose of asbestos
You must not put asbestos in with your household waste or any other type of bin. None of the district or borough councils in ßÙßÇÂþ» offer an asbestos removal or collection service.
You can take asbestos to these CRCs:
The CRCs can only accept small amounts (up to six sheets) of asbestos cement materials such as:
- Corrugated or flat sheets
- Cold water tanks
- Rainwater pipes and gutters
- Lining under eaves
- Flue pipes
To dispose of other types of asbestos, you must use a licensed company. See the section below for details.
Before taking your asbestos to the CRC
- Telephone the site to check that there is enough space in the special container for your asbestos.
- If bringing asbestos in a van, pickup or trailer you must have a van permit and you are only allowed to bring up to the limit for construction and DIY waste. You must not mix asbestos with other construction and DIY waste.
- Spray the asbestos cement with water.
- Double wrap or double bag the asbestos cement with heavy duty polythene.
- Secure the wrapping with tape.
- Make sure that none of the vehicle occupants have access to the asbestos waste.
On arrival at the CRC
- Inform a member of staff that you are disposing of asbestos so that they can direct you to the special container.
- They will ask you to complete a declaration of household waste form to confirm that the asbestos has come from your own home.
- They will also ask you to provide evidence that you are a ßÙßÇÂþ» resident. See our page on who can use our CRCs.
- Make sure the wrapping is still securely in place before unloading the asbestos cement.
It is also possible to dispose of asbestos using a specialist private contractor.
If you have a different type of asbestos to the ones listed above, you must use a specialist private contractor. Contact the to find a removal contractor and please ensure that they have a licence and the paperwork that is required by the Environment Agency.
See our page on business waste.
Visit the for the most appropriate methods of dealing with asbestos to fully comply with regulations, ensure maximum safety and protect your organisation from litigation.