How should I dispose of Asbestos?

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• How should I dispose of Asbestos?

Please note: There is no longer a facility to dispose of asbestos at the Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC), Villiers Road.

Kingston Council has arranged with the City of London Hazardous Waste Collection Service for the collection of other hazardous waste items. These are collected from residential addresses in the borough. Contact the Corporation of London - Hazardous Waste Unit on 020 7332 3433 who will give/send you specific instructions and advise on collection dates. Further information is available on the City of London website.

This service will collect:

• Asbestos
• Chemicals
• Chemical weed killers
• Oil based/Chemical based Paints, varnishes etc.

There are specified weight restrictions on the amounts of these items that will be taken without charge please be specific when contacting Corporation of London and they will advise you accordingly. Kingston Council are charged by Corporation of London for each collection on this service so residents are asked to bear in mind that it is not economical to call them out for just one or two pots of paint.

The City of London will also collect chemicals from Kingston Council Schools however any charges for this will be back-charged to the Education Department.

The City of London will not collect from private companies or commercial premises. These organisations should talk to their Waste Collection Contractor about the collection and disposal of Hazardous items.

From the 1930's to 1980's asbestos cement sheeting was widely used as roofs and walls of sheds and garages. If in good repair and not in a position where the sheets are likely to be damaged there is minimal risk to health and no need for it to be removed on health grounds alone. If however it is in a poor condition, deteriorating, or you simply wish to replace your garage or shed the removal of the sheets can be undertaken by any person providing appropriate guidance is followed. If however you would rather not handle the material yourself or you feel that you are not physically able you may wish to appoint a contractor. The contractor does not need to be licensed by the Health and Safety Executive to handle asbestos but would need to be licensed to carry hazardous waste if they are to take the material away from home.

Each month the Environmental Health Service receives numerous requests for advice and information from residents who wish to remove their garages/sheds made with asbestos cement sheeting. If you follow the advice below you will minimise the release of asbestos fibres and your exposure to them.

Please note this advice relates solely to the removal of asbestos cement sheeting, the removal of other types of asbestos material should only be undertaken by licensed contractors. This advice is also not intended as a manual for builders or contractors working with asbestos and should not be used as such.

• Wear protective clothing, preferably category 3 (type5/6) disposable overalls and a disposable dust mask 'CE' marked to EN149 with FFP2 particulate filters. The standard dust masks available from DIY stores will not protect you against asbestos fibres
• Keep other people away from the work area
• On sheds and garages with asbestos cement roofs debris in gutters/traps can contain a high percentage of asbestos fibres. If present remove debris using disposable cloths and place cloths and debris in heavy duty plastic bag, clearly labelled 'ASBESTOS'. Seal with strong tape. Do not use brushes
• Without using excessive quantities of water keep the sheets wet whilst handling them
• Do not remove any moss that may be attached to the sheets
• Detach the sheets from the frame of the shed or garage as carefully as possible. The bolts or screws are likely to be rusty and difficult to undo so you may unavoidably need to break the sheets at the attachment points. Minimise breakages. Do not use power tools. The sheets are brittle so do not crawl onto the roof
• The sheets will be heavy and difficult to handle and it is likely to be a two person task but do not be tempted to break them up into more easily manageable pieces. If they do break they are likely to leave sharp, jagged edges
• Wrap each sheet up in heavy duty plastic sheeting (available from builders merchants). Seal with strong tape and clearly label 'ASBESTOS'. Place small pieces of sheeting in heavy duty plastic bags, seal and label. Place sheets in safe place ready for disposal
• Clean up the area removing all pieces of sheeting. Do not sweep the material up but keep damp and scrape with an appropriate tool. Use damp cloths to further clean the area and place all debris, cloths, dust masks and overalls in heavy duty plastic bag, clearly marked 'ASBESTOS'. Seal and place with sheets ready for disposal.