FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What are the health risks associated with asbestos?

When asbestos is in poor condition or disturbed, such as during building renovations, fibres which are invisible to the naked eye can become airborne and easily inhaled. This can lead to several illnesses, some of which are life threatening. However, asbestos-related risks can be safely managed by ensuring correct and safe removal, transportation and disposal procedures are followed.

Where can asbestos be found?

Before starting any property improvement projects, check for asbestos with a professional. Due to its popularity at the time, it is likely that any building constructed or renovated before 1990 contains asbestos. It can be found in any room and structure or outside in fencing, pipes, and sheds. Any property built or renovated before asbestos was banned in 2003 could also contain it.

For more information on where to find asbestos and how to safely remove it, visit: www.asbestos.vic.gov.au.

Who can remove asbestos from a property?

If you find non-friable asbestos, it is strongly recommended that you engage a licensed asbestos removalist who knows how to manage the material safely. If you choose to remove and dispose of non-friable asbestos yourself, you need to understand the risks and take the necessary precautions. Follow safety guidelines to keep you and the community safe. For resources on identifying asbestos and planning for, and undertaking safe removal, visit www.asbestos.vic.gov.au.

If you are a tradesperson, you must follow OHS regulations which may include the limited asbestos removal regulations. For more information about safe asbestos removal and your responsibilities, visit http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/asbestos
Friable asbestos is extremely hazardous. If you find friable asbestos in a workplace it must only be removed by a licensed removalist (Class A). If you find it in your home, it is highly recommended that you contact a licensed removalist (Class A) to do the removal and disposal. To find a Class A removalist go to asbestos.vic.gov.au.

Where can asbestos be disposed of?

Asbestos must be disposed of at an EPA Victoria permitted waste facility that is approved to receive asbestos. If asbestos is not disposed of correctly once it’s been removed from a building, it still poses a health risk. Dumping of asbestos is illegal and can result in significant penalties. Asbestos that is dumped in public places or in kerbside bins is a health hazard and cost to local communities and businesses. That’s why it’s important to have local waste facilities dedicated to the safe disposal of asbestos.

Does Future Recycling need a licence to support asbestos disposal at Hallam and Pakenham?

Yes, there are strict environmental and health and safety requirements that must be met for a waste facility to be able to accept asbestos waste.

Future Recycling has an EPA Victoria permission to temporarily store packaged asbestos waste in a weatherproof skip bin, located in a secured area.

Why is there a fee for using the Asbestos Disposal Point?

The cost of disposal covers onsite operations to manage asbestos safely, the cost of transporting consolidated asbestos waste to an EPA Victoria licensed landfill and the disposal gate fee charged by the landfill.

Fees for disposing of asbestos waste will vary depending on the quantity.

Why do I have to book to use the Asbestos Disposal Point?

All customers must book a time slot to dispose of their waste. This ensures a trained site operator is available to check your load is correctly packaged and monitor the disposal process. Your booking also assists staff with understanding how much asbestos you will be disposing of so they can ensure there is space in the asbestos skip bin.

Can I just turn up without a booking to dispose of my asbestos?

No. Trained staff must check your load is correctly packaged and monitor the disposal process. Booking also assists staff with understanding how much asbestos you will be disposing of so they can make sure there is space in the asbestos skip bin.

Can I bring my asbestos waste in a garbage bag or similar?

No. All asbestos waste must be correctly and safely packaged in line with regulations, otherwise you will be refused site entry. If your asbestos load is incorrectly packaged, you will be required to leave the site, re-package the load correctly and book a future disposal appointment.

Asbestos waste must be wrapped and sealed in two separate layers of heavy-duty (minimum of 0.2mm/200 micron thickness) HDPE plastic sheeting or double-bagged in specialised asbestos waste bags (minimum of 0.2mm/200 micron thickness), which can be found online or at most hardware stores and safety equipment suppliers.

Where can I buy the HDPE plastic sheeting or specialised asbestos waste bags?

The heavy-duty (minimum of 0.2mm thickness) HDPE plastic sheeting or specialised asbestos waste bags can be found online and at most hardware stores and safety equipment suppliers.

Where can I buy disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirators?

Disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) and respirators can be found at most hardware stores and safety equipment suppliers.

What does under 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos look like?

As a guide, 10 square meters is equivalent to about four sheets of asbestos cement wall sheeting, or usually only one wall of an average bathroom (www.asbestossafety.gov.au).

How will asbestos be managed on site?

When you arrive on site, a trained operator at the weighbridge will check if your asbestos waste is packaged correctly.

If it is correctly packaged, and meets quantity requirements, you will be directed to the Asbestos Disposal Point where you can dispose of the asbestos waste.

PROCESS FOR CUSTOMERS WITH CORRECT PACKAGING
If the asbestos load is packaged correctly and meets quantity requirements the site operator will direct the customer to the Asbestos Disposal Point:

Customers will park near the skip bin and remove the packaged asbestos from their own vehicle. They will be guided by a site operator to carefully place it in the skip bin and will then exit the site.

Once the bin reaches storage or time limits in line with EPA Victoria permission requirements, the waste will be completely sealed and transported to a licensed landfill for final disposal.

PROCESS FOR CUSTOMERS WITH INCORRECT PACKAGING
If your asbestos load is incorrectly packaged it will be rejected. You will be required to leave the site, re-package the load correctly and book a future disposal appointment.

Do I unload the packaged asbestos from my vehicle?

Yes. At the Asbestos Disposal Point you will park near the skip bin and remove the packaged asbestos from your own vehicle. The site operator will provide guidance on where to carefully place your waste in the specialised bin. Asbestos waste must be loaded and unloaded from vehicles carefully.

Site operators are not permitted to assist you with moving the waste from your vehicle to the bin. If it took two people to lift the waste into your vehicle, you must ensure that you have another person with you to move waste into the skip bin.

What happens to the asbestos waste after being deposited in the skip bin at the disposal point?

Once the bin reaches storage or time limits in line with EPA Victoria permissions, the waste will be completely sealed and transported to a landfill for final disposal.

How will Future Recycling ensure the Asbestos Disposal Point is managed safely?

The safety of our staff, customers and local community are a top priority for Future Recycling.The Asbestos Disposal Point provides a safe place to dispose of asbestos and will be managed in line with strict environmental and OHS regulations.

Here are just a few ways the site will be managed safely:

The Asbestos Disposal Point is in a secure area and equipped with a weatherproof skip bin. The skip bin is regularly checked to ensure previously deposited asbestos packaging remains sealed.

Once the skip bin reaches storage or time limits in line with EPA Victoria permissions, the waste must be transported to a landfill for final disposal.

Site operators will be supported by management with the provision of training, clear procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE), and decontamination equipment (in the unlikely event of an emergency), to prevent any potential harm from asbestos fibres.

What happens if there is an asbestos waste spill, or fire, at Future Recycling?

In the unlikely event of an emergency event, Future Recycling has procedures and an emergency management plan in place to protect the surrounding community from any risk. In the event of;

An asbestos waste spill – the site has procedures and equipment to support trained operators with managing a clean-up.

A fire – we will work closely, and swiftly, with emergency services and relevant authorities to protect the surrounding community and the local environment from any risk.

What happens if there is an asbestos waste spill, or fire, at Future Recycling?

When it comes to the safe management of asbestos waste, we all have a part to play. If you, or someone you know needs to remove or dispose of asbestos waste, contacting a licensed removalist is strongly recommended.

To find a licensed asbestos removalist or for information on identifying asbestos, planning for, and undertaking safe removal, use of personal protective equipment and decontamination, visit asbestos.vic.gov.au.

If you see dumped waste (particularly construction waste) in your local community, please contact EPA Victoria’s pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.