Asbestos has only one destination – landfill. It cannot be recycled or re-used and its dangers mean that it needs to be handled within strict safety requirements on-site and in transport to landfill.
The safe and legal disposal of asbestos comes with costs. Social research conducted by the EPA as well as feedback from stakeholders identifies that cost and convenience of disposal facilities is a barrier to the safe and legal disposal of asbestos.
Research has also uncovered that if asbestos is a surprise discovery during building work, unsafe behaviour is more likely. That is, knowledge of where asbestos is before work starts is a driver of safer and legal disposal. Those who generate the waste (such as home renovators, tradespeople and developers) also need to be supported in understanding the role they can and should play in making sure that asbestos waste is appropriately disposed of.
Co-lead: the EPA and DPIE (Planning and Assessment)
Partners: SafeWork NSW, Office of Local Government, Local Government NSW and relevant local councils