If you use the appropriate safety precautions, you are permitted to remove a maximum of 10 square metres of bonded asbestos in NSW. However, if removing more than 10 square metres, you MUST either hire a qualified asbestos removalist or obtain a SafeWork NSW bonded asbestos removal licence which requires you to attend an appropriate training course run by TAFE or a registered training organisation. Any loose or friable asbestos must be removed by an qualified asbestos removalist and cannot be removed by the homeowner.
Find Out More About Disposing of
Asbestos in NSW
- Contact your local council to find a landfill site that may lawfully receive asbestos waste in your area
- To locate your closest asbestos disposal facility visit the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency’s disposal database
- The 1800 Asbestos Hotline (1800 272 378) provides NSW with a central point of contact for asbestos enquiries.
Asbestos Disposal
- Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at specific landfills located in various regions of in NSW. To locate your closest asbestos disposal facility visit the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency’s disposal database
- To arrange to dispose of asbestos, you must first contact your local council to locate your nearest lawful waste landfill site
- Ensure asbestos waste has been wetted, wrapped in 200um thick plastic, and sealed with tape before it is transported to a landfill site that may lawfully receive the waste.
- It must be clearly labelled as “asbestos waste”
- It must be transported in a covered, leak-proof vehicle
- It is wise to keep copies of receipts from landfills where asbestos was taken as councils or the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) may require you to produce these receipts as proof of proper disposal
Important Safety Facts To Know When Working With Asbestos
- There are a number of safety precautions you will need to undertake including wearing approved protective clothing, the correct mask (not all masks are safe) or breathing apparatus. Download Fact Sheet 1 or 2 for detailed instructions on what you need.
- To learn more information about working safely with asbestos visit: SafeWork NSW and EPA (Environment Protection Authority)
- For important information about working with asbestos read Safe Work Australia’s ‘Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)]
- Waste transporters are required to report the movement of more than 100 kilograms of asbestos waste or more than 10 square metres of asbestos sheeting within NSW to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). If you are involved with transporting, or arranging the transport of asbestos waste in NSW, you now need to register for WasteLocate at: WasteLocate.epa.nsw.gov.au. You can find out more about WasteLocate here.
The EPA has produced a brochure called “Safely disposing of asbestos waste from your home”. This contains information for home renovators and builders on the safe handling, storage, transport and disposal of asbestos waste and can be found on their website.
Remember: If the asbestos is in powder form or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry, it must be removed by an asbestos removal contractor with a friable asbestos licence.
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