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Asbestos waste disposal

Asbestos was once widely used in the UK for its insulating and fire-resistant properties, and it was a key material used in roofing, flooring, and construction.

However, as cases of lung disease among workers became more common, medical research in the 1960s confirmed the serious health risks of asbestos exposure. Regulations followed, with the UK banning some types of asbestos in 1985 and introducing a full ban on all forms in 1999.

Despite this, asbestos remains present in many older buildings, making its safe removal and disposal a critical issue. Strict UK regulations now govern asbestos waste management to protect both people and the environment. This article outlines the legal framework and best practices for asbestos waste management and disposal.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of thin, fibrous crystals. It is strong, flexible, and highly resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion, making it ideal for insulation and fireproofing. There are six types of asbestos, with chrysotile (white), amosite (brown), and crocidolite (blue) being the most common.

It forms over millions of years in certain rock types, mainly serpentine and amphibole formations. Chrysotile comes from serpentine rock, while amosite and crocidolite develop in other mineral-rich rocks.

When disturbed, asbestos fibres become airborne and can be easily inhaled. These fibres do not break down in the body, posing serious health risks. Because of this, asbestos is now strictly regulated, requiring careful handling and disposal.

What does asbestos look like?

Many think of asbestos as a fibrous white powder. This is true for the most part, because white Chrysolite is the most common type of asbestos, having been widely used in roofing, brake linings, gaskets and insulation.

However, there are other niche types of asbestos with significant historical uses. Here’s a summary of the different types together with their typical use cases and key characteristics:

Assessing asbestos waste

Before asbestos can be disposed of, it must first be assessed to determine the level of risk and the correct handling procedures. The law requires that asbestos work be classified as licensed, notifiable non-licensed (NNLW), or non-licensed work, depending on the type, condition, and likelihood of fibre release.

This assessment must be carried out by one of the following:

• A competent person: Someone with adequate training, knowledge, and experience in asbestos risk assessment, typically an asbestos surveyor or occupational hygienist.
• A licensed asbestos contractor: If removal work is required and there is uncertainty about risk levels, a licensed contractor can determine the necessary category.
• The duty holder: The duty holder is the building owner, landlord for the premises, a person or organisation with clear responsibility for the building’s maintenance or repair

The removal and disposal of asbestos is then classified into one of the following categories:

• Non-Licensed Work: This applies to low-risk asbestos materials that are intact and unlikely to release significant fibres. Common examples include cleaning small amounts of asbestos dust and debris, drilling into textured coatings to install fittings, or sealing asbestos in good condition with encapsulation methods. Although a licence is not required, proper precautions must be followed, such as PPE, controlled removal techniques, and secure waste containment.
• Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW): Some asbestos work does not require a licence but must be reported to the HSE via their online form. This applies to asbestos cement sheets or other materials that will be broken up, repairing damaged asbestos insulation on pipes, or removing larger areas of textured coatings using steaming or gel methods. For NNLW, the work area must be clearly designated, and workers require health surveillance and medical examinations.
• Licensed Work: High-risk asbestos removal must be carried out by a contractor licensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This includes sprayed coatings, lagging on pipes, and asbestos insulating boards (AIB). Due to the increased fibre release risk, strict containment, air monitoring, and decontamination procedures must be followed, and disposal must be completed at a licensed hazardous waste site.

Disposal methods of asbestos

After an asbestos assessment determines the level of risk, the waste must be handled and disposed of following strict regulations. Whether the work is non-licensed, notifiable non-licensed (NNLW), or licensed, asbestos waste must be securely contained, transported by registered carriers, and disposed of at an approved hazardous waste facility.

Safe removal and containment

All asbestos waste must be handled carefully to prevent fibre release. This includes:

• Dampening asbestos materials before removal to reduce dust.
• Avoid breaking asbestos sheets to minimise airborne fibres.
• Using PPE and RPE (respiratory protective equipment), even for non-licensed work.
• Sealing waste in UN-approved, double-bagged containers clearly marked with asbestos hazard labels.

Transporting asbestos waste

A registered waste carrier must transport asbestos waste to a licensed facility. Key requirements include:

• Sealed, leak-proof containers to prevent asbestos release.
• Proper labelling and documentation, including a hazardous waste consignment note for tracking.
• Specialist vehicles equipped to handle hazardous materials.

Approved disposal sites

Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at sites licensed to accept hazardous waste. Common methods include:

• Landfill disposal: The most common method, where sealed asbestos waste is buried in specially designed hazardous waste landfills with protective liners.
• Encapsulation: Some non-friable asbestos materials can be stabilised with resins or coatings before disposal, reducing the risks of fibre release.
• Alternative treatments: Though less common, some facilities use thermal, chemical, or mechanical processes to break down asbestos into non-hazardous materials.

Duty of care and compliance

Businesses and individuals handling asbestos waste have a legal responsibility under the Hazardous waste regulations to:

• Use licensed contractors when required.
• Keep records of asbestos disposal for at least three years.
• Ensure asbestos waste is not mixed with other waste types.

Legal requirements for asbestos disposal

Asbestos waste disposal in the UK is governed by a combination of national and regional regulations. While some laws apply across the UK, England, Wales, and Scotland have specific regulations for hazardous waste classification and disposal. Below is a breakdown of the key legal requirements by region.

Asbestos disposal regulations in England and Wales

In England and Wales, asbestos is classified as hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. Key legal requirements include:

• Duty of care: Businesses and individuals must follow strict procedures for handling, transporting, and disposing of asbestos waste.
• Consignment notes: Every movement of asbestos waste must be documented with a hazardous waste consignment note, tracking its journey from collection to disposal.
• Licensed facilities: Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at facilities licensed for hazardous waste.
• Waste carrier registration: Those transporting asbestos must hold a waste carrier licence with the Environment Agency (EA) in England or Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

Asbestos disposal regulations in Scotland

In Scotland, asbestos waste is classed as special waste under the Special Waste Regulations 1996 (Amended 2004). The key regulations include:

• Special waste consignment notes: Similar to England and Wales, asbestos movements must be documented using a consignment note system managed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
• Storage and disposal: Asbestos must be securely double-wrapped and labelled before being sent to a SEPA-licensed disposal site.
• Transportation: Only registered waste carriers licensed by SEPA can transport asbestos waste.

UK-Wide asbestos disposal regulations

Some laws apply across the entire UK, ensuring consistent safety and environmental protection. These include:

• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: Consolidates previous asbestos laws and outlines legal requirements for asbestos management in non-domestic properties. This includes the duty to manage asbestos, risk assessments, surveys, and licensing for removal.
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: Provides a legal framework for workplace health and safety, ensuring employers take necessary precautions to protect workers from hazardous substances, including asbestos.

Safety precautions and training

Businesses are legally obligated to protect employees from asbestos exposure under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Whether asbestos work is carried out in-house or by contractors, the right safety precautions, training, and management plans must be in place to prevent risks.

Employee safety and training in the workplace

If your business operates in a building constructed before 1999, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) could be present. To protect employees:

• Asbestos awareness training is required for all workers who may disturb asbestos during their jobs (e.g., maintenance staff, construction workers, and electricians).
• Before any work begins, a risk assessment must be carried out to determine if asbestos is present.
• Employees should never work with asbestos insulation, sprayed coatings, or insulating boards (AIB), as these require a licensed contractor.
• Proper PPE must be provided, including FFP3-rated respirators and disposable overalls for those working near asbestos.
• Air monitoring should be conducted in high-risk areas to confirm safe conditions.

If a business handles asbestos themselves

If, after assessment, the work that needs to be carried out is deemed low-risk (e.g., drilling into textured coatings or cleaning up small amounts of asbestos dust), the following precautions must be followed:

• Employees must have task-specific training covering safe handling and disposal.
• The work area should be sealed off to prevent fibre release.
• Materials should be dampened before handling to reduce dust.
• Workers must wear appropriate PPE, including disposable coveralls and FFP3 respirators.
• Asbestos waste must be double-bagged, labelled, and disposed of at a licensed site.

Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW)

Removing asbestos cement sheets or repairing minor insulation damage, businesses must notify the relevant authority (HSE), maintain health records, and arrange employee medical surveillance.

As required by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, regular medical surveillance involves arranging a medical examination by a licensed doctor (registered with HSE) familiar with asbestos-related health risks. The first examination should be before or within four weeks of starting NNLW and then at least once every three years.

Licensed contractor

Any high-risk asbestos work, such as removing insulation, sprayed coatings, or asbestos insulating board (AIB), must be carried out by an HSE-licensed contractor. To prevent exposure, these jobs require strict containment, air monitoring, and decontamination procedures.

By ensuring employees receive the right training, protective equipment, and risk assessments, businesses can comply with the law and maintain a safe working environment.

Where does asbestos go once it has been removed?

As we mentioned earlier in the asbestos waste management process, asbestos’s end destination is specialised waste disposal sites. In the UK asbestos waste is typically buried in hazardous waste landfills.

Asbestos waste recycling

Due to its hazardous nature, asbestos is currently not feasibly recycled into other useful materials. However, specialised processes can neutralise asbestos fibres, transforming them into non-hazardous materials. These methods include high-temperature thermal and chemical treatments, which can break down asbestos fibres, vitrify them into glass, or turn them into ceramics or mineral wool.

However, despite these exciting recycling technologies, asbestos recycling is not widespread due to the high costs and complexities. As a result, the most common and regulated practice remains safe disposal in designated hazardous waste landfills.

Asbestos landfill sites UK

Here is a list of some of the premier landfill sites in the UK that are licenced to dispose of asbestos waste:

• Whitemoss Hazardous Landfill site in Skelmersdale, between Liverpool and Manchester.
• Bishop’s Cleeve Landfill site in Cheltenham, Gloucester.
• Deep Moor Landfill site in Torrington, Devon.
• Distington Landfill Site in Workington, Cumbria.

Asbestos in waste – FAQs

Our business waste experts answer commonly asked questions on asbestos in waste in the UK.

Why was asbestos banned?

Asbestos was banned due to its severe health risks. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious respiratory diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. As evidence of these dangers grew, many countries implemented bans or strict regulations to protect public health.

When was asbestos banned?

The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations banned blue and brown asbestos (crocidolite and amosite) in 1985. White asbestos (chrysotile) was later banned in 1999, with a complete prohibition on the importation, supply, and use of all types of asbestos coming into effect at this time.

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