Recycling

Asbestos
Where asbestos is being taken to a civic amenity site please note that the asbestos container only has a limited width opening being 1525cm by 300cm and the second type of bins have an aperture of 2410cm by 340cm. This means that items such as domestic water tanks will not fit in and would need to be broken down and contained as detailed below.

General information
There are three types of asbestos blue (crocidolite) brown (amosite) and white (chrysotile). All of these are hazardous, blue being the most dangerous. These have been used in the past 150 years because of their insulating properties and resistance to heat and chemicals. They are derived from minerals found naturally.

Possible asbestos items:

• domestic equipment, e.g. ironing boards;
• lagging;
• warm air heating;
• insulating boards;
• cement textured plaster materials for stippling;
• bath panels;
• floor tiles;.
• garages;
• shed roofs;
• cement drain pipes;
• water tanks.

If you feel any of the above are in your house do not worry. If it is still in good condition it is better undisturbed. There is only a danger from asbestos when it is damaged or disturbed and the loose fibres are released into the air.

Older properties, especially those from 1950 to the mid 1980s, are more likely to have asbestos in them and any alterations to properties of this age should be made with this in mind. There are no known dangers associated with ingesting (eating or drinking) asbestos from asbestos cement water supply pipes and or storage tanks.

If you have an older property and discover that there is a large amount of any building materials such as lagging, spray coating or insulation boards that are asbestos you will need to call in a contractor that has been licensed by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive). If in doubt about whether an item is asbestos please seek advice before removal. Since 1976, materials that contain asbestos have had to be labelled.

Dealing with asbestos:

• disturb it as little as possible;
• if in good condition and inside then it is better left and treated in situ by painting with an alkali resistant paint such as PVA emulsion;
• if the asbestos is cut, damaged, broken, drilled or sanded then it should be removed;
• if structural changes are needed it will need to be removed.

Precautions for removal:

• Wear a dust mask and disposable overalls.
• Furniture and carpets need to be covered with polythene sheeting.
• If it has to be broken up do not use power tools.
• Asbestos needs to be dampened with water and washing up liquid to help bond the dust before removal and be kept damp in order to prevent fibres getting into the air.
• All items must be placed in double bags of strong polythene 500 gauge minimum, sealed with parcel tape and labelled as asbestos.
• Clothing must be bagged if exposed.
• If a non-disposable boiler suit is used, wash separately; do not wash with other items.
• If transporting by car to the local civic amenity sites, make sure the items are properly sealed and any passengers do not have contact with the material.
• All items must be of a manageable size and weight so as to be readily lifted into the special containers by the persons delivering the waste.
• The civic amenity sites will not take lagging and insulation these must be removed by professionals.
• If large pieces of asbestos need to be cut down this should be done outside if possible.
• If a vacuum cleaner is needed to remove fibres do not use a domestic cleaner you need to hire an industrial cleaner that meets standard BS 5415 (Type H)

Help and advice:

• General help and advice can be obtained from the Development Team within the Environmental Health Team at the council.
• Residents can obtain advice from the Environment Agency on 0870 8506506
• If you live in council accommodation and you have concerns then contact your Estate Manager.
• Tenants should contact the landlord of the property.

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