WSN
Telephone 1300 651 116

Asbestos




Asbestos Wastes are any wastes containing asbestos. This waste can be further categorised into two types:

  • Stabilised Asbestos is any waste containing asbestos in a bonded matrix, eg asbestos cement sheeting ("fibro"), bituminous floor tiles / roof sheeting; and
  • Asbestos Fibre and Dust Waste is any waste containing asbestos dust or fibres, eg. brake lining dust, acoustic insulation, thermal insulation (lagging), dust from ventilation collection systems.

Will WSN Environmental Solutions accept my asbestos wastes?

Some WSN sites accept asbestos wastes, however special conditions apply due to health risks associated with handling these wastes, and a booking must be made in advance.

Asbestos wastes must be carefully handled and packaged prior to disposal at our Waste and Recycling Centres. Please note that not all WSN sites accept asbestos waste.

Please follow these guidelines for disposal:

1) Stabilised Asbestos
Large quantities (ie in tipping vehicles):
  • Line the vehicle or container with 200 micron heavy-duty builders' plastic sheeting;
  • Thoroughly wet each sheet of the waste;
  • Load the material into the container or vehicle;
  • Fold the plastic sheeting over the waste and secure it with builders' tape or strong duct tape; and
  • Unloading must be carried out in a manner that minimises the release of dust.

Small quantities (ie hand-unloaded material):
  • Thoroughly wet each sheet of asbestos with water;
  • Wrap asbestos waste in heavy-duty builders' plastic (the grade of plastic must be at least 200 microns thick);
  • Completely seal the package, using builders' tape or duct tape. Packages must be wrapped in manageable sizes for unloading, ie. small bundles for hand unloading, and larger bundles for sliding off a trailer; and
  • Waste must be carefully unloaded to prevent the release of dust. You will be directed to the appropriate disposal area and asked to hand unload the material.

Please follow all instructions provided by staff at the weighbridge and at the nominated tipping area.

2) Asbestos fibre and dust waste
In accordance to Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005 – Clause 42, asbestos waste that is in the form of asbestos fibre and dust waste must be covered in such a manner as to prevent the emission of any dust. It must not be collected and stored except in accordance to the following procedures:
  • The waste must be collected and stored in impermeable bags;
  • Each bag must be made of heavy duty low density polyethylene of at least 0.2mm thickness, and have dimensions of no more than 1.2m in height and 0.9m in width;
  • Each bag must be sealed by a wire tie, and contain no more than 25kg of waste; and
  • Each bag must be marked with the words "CAUTION ASBESTOS" in letters of not less than 40mm and which comply with Australian Standard AS 1319 – Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.

Further guidelines on the collection, storage and disposal of asbestos fibre and dust is available from the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Unloading
Unloading of asbestos waste must be carried out in a manner that prevents the release of dust.
Care should be taken to minimise breakage of plastic during unloading. You will be directed to the appropriate disposal area and be asked to unload the material.

Because of the potential risks associated with the exposure to these wastes, additional management of these wastes is provided at the site. Greater supervision is applied, and the wastes are compacted by machinery only after they have been covered with a layer of general waste.

Booking for disposal of Asbestos Wastes
Any asbestos waste must be booked as a special waste, which can only be accepted at nominated WSN landfills (not transfer stations). These wastes must be booked into a WSN landfill at least one working day prior to disposal by telephoning 1300 651 116 between 7.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Please note that unused bookings do not carry forward - if you miss your appointment, you will need to make another booking.

Charges
Charges and payment methods are available from our Customer Service staff on telephone 1300 651 116. Please separate asbestos waste from general waste to avoid paying the higher special waste rate for general waste.

Further information
For further information about the safe handling of asbestos, please refer the following websites:
Waste & Recycling Centres that will accept this waste:
Note: From time to time site operations may vary, which may limit access to some of these facilities. You will be notified about any likely changes when booking your waste.

What else can I do with my asbestos wastes?

It is illegal to re-use, recycle or illegally dump asbestos products. It is also illegal to dispose of asbestos waste in domestic garbage bins. Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a landfill site that can lawfully receive this waste.

More information about legal requirements for managing asbestos wastes is available from the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Related Waste Streams: