The law requires that all asbestos cement sheeting and off-cuts, pipes, insulation, collected dust, and protective clothing must be wrapped, labelled and disposed of only at a site licensed by the Environment Protection Authority. It is illegal to dispose of it at your local tip, in normal rubbish collection or in skips.
For packing sheeting and pipes:
- Thoroughly wet all the articles and maintain in a wet condition until packaged for transport.
- Place the articles on two layers of polythene sheeting (approx 0.2mm thick) to a height less than 1 metre, and completely wrap the articles. Seal with adhesive tape.
- Label the packages with a warning sign about 75mm x 90mm, stating: "CAUTION. ASBESTOS. DO NOT OPEN OR DAMAGE BAG. DO NOT INHALE DUST"
For packing insulated lagged pipes, boilers, heaters and equipment:
- Double wrap the entire article with polythene sheets (approx 0.2mm thick), and seal with adhesive tape.
- Label the package with a warning sign as per Number 3, above.
For Asbestos Dust and Friable Asbestos:
- Discharge dust into drums (this should be wet).
- Fix the drum lid securely using a suitable device (eg toggle clips, screws, or bolts)
- Label each drum with a dangerous goods mark.
- Label each drum with the asbestos warning sign (see above) at least three times.
OR Bag the dust as follows:
- Discharge dust directly into double polythene bags approx 0.2mm thick. A maximum bag size of 1200 mm (length) x 900 mm (width) should be used. The bagged dust should be wetted and the loaded weight should not be more than 30kg. Bags should not be filled more than 50% capacity.
- Tie each bag
- Label each bag with a dangerous goods mark.
- Label each bag with asbestos warning signs (see above) at least three times on one side of each bag.
Asbestos Tile, Gaskets, Brake Linings, Clutch Plates, Acoustic Insulation, Non-bonded Textiles, Gloves, Protective Clothing and Respirators.
These should be bagged as described above.
The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change has produced a leaflet Safely disposing of asbestos waste from your home [ pdf] with useful advice.