If you’ve discovered asbestos in your home, your next question is most likely going to be ‘how do I get rid of asbestos?’. Because of the health dangers associated with asbestos, there are strict laws around the removal and disposal of asbestos from both residential and commercial properties – which means you may not be able to remove or get rid of the asbestos yourself.
In Australia, asbestos is what’s known as ‘regulated waste’, which means it requires special management and disposal to prevent harm to people or the environment. This means you cannot dispose of asbestos like regular waste. It is illegal to dispose of asbestos in domestic bins or recycling. Asbestos must be wrapped and transported in a specific way to prevent it becoming airborne and asbestos must be disposed of at a disposal facility that can lawfully accept asbestos. Usually this will mean a private asbestos waste facility or checking with your local council to see if your local tip can accept asbestos waste.
The safest way to get rid of asbestos is to engage an asbestos removalist like Asbestos Eliminator – licensed professionals who will not only safely remove the asbestos from your property but dispose of the asbestos for you too.
Can I get rid of asbestos myself?
There are two different types of asbestos you may encounter in your renovation or refurbishment project – friable and non-friable asbestos. Different removal laws apply to each type of asbestos.
Friable asbestos
Friable asbestos is asbestos that is already in powder form or asbestos that can be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand. You cannot remove friable asbestos or get rid of it yourself, you must engage a licensed professional for both the removal and disposal of friable asbestos. In addition, you must make sure that professional holds a ‘Class A’ licence which permits them to remove any amount of friable and non-friable asbestos from your property.
Non-friable asbestos
Non-friable asbestos is asbestos that cannot be reduced to powder by hand and is most likely reinforced with a bonding compound to hold it together. Non-friable asbestos is also referred to as ‘bonded’ asbestos. You may remove up to 10m2 of non-friable asbestos from a property yourself without the need for a licence, though you will still need to adhere to the strict disposal rules and laws that apply for the wrapping, transport and disposal of non-friable asbestos in Queensland.
If your project requires removal of more than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos then you must engage a licensed professional to remove and dispose of the asbestos, you will not be able to remove it yourself. Professionals removing non-friable asbestos require a ‘Class B’ licence at a minimum.
Asbestos Eliminator holds both a Class A and Class B licence to remove and dispose of both friable and non-friable asbestos.
Using a licensed asbestos removal professional
If you’re unaware of the rules surrounding the removal and disposal of asbestos, it’s probably a good sign that you shouldn’t remove the asbestos yourself!
Fortunately, there are a number of professional asbestos removal companies in Southeast Queensland that can take the guesswork and danger out of asbestos removal and manage the asbestos disposal process for you.
Engaging a licensed asbestos removal company to remove and dispose of your asbestos not only ensures you comply with all rules, laws and regulations surrounding asbestos removal and disposal, but asbestos removal professionals also have the necessary training, equipment and experience to remove your asbestos safely and efficiently.
For a no-obligation peace of mind quote on your asbestos identification, removal and disposal, get in touch with the asbestos removal experts at Asbestos Eliminators for a free asbestos removal quote.
