Asbestos Disposal Melbourne Advice

Approved Asbestos Disposal Locations in Melbourne – Victoria

Asbestos Disposal Locations in Melbourne

Asbestos can be disposed at various landfills throughout Victoria. In this article we will explore information on the indentification, health risks and approved disposal locations in Melbourne.

 

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is an assemblage of six minerals that occur naturally. The minerals are thin fibres that are resistant to heat. They are also resistant to a number of chemicals. It is as a result of the above characteristics that it was once nicknamed the miracle mineral. The six existing types of asbestos minerals have similar characteristics. The minerals are tasteless and have no smell.

Asbestos is categorised into two groups; serpentine asbestos and the amphibole asbestos. Serpentine asbestos comprises of long, curly fibres. The category has chrysotile or white asbestos.

Amphibole asbestos, on the other hand, entails five minerals: amosite, actinolite, crocidolite, tremolite and anthophyllite. It comprises of brittle, needle-shaped fibres.

 

Dangers of Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancerous disease which affects the lung linings. Additionally, it can also lead to lung related illnesses. If inhaled, asbestos can lodge in lung or abdomen tissues.

The fibres beat human biology, therefore, leading to more complications aside from cancer because they are difficult to eliminate. Cancer caused by asbestos is fatal and is responsible for a considerable number of deaths annually. Occupational, environmental and or secondary exposure, in the long run, is what leads to pleural mesothelioma.

 

Identification of Asbestos

Identifying asbestos visually is difficult. Laboratory testing of samples is the only way to acheive definitive results. The innate features of asbestos are what bar people from quickly identifying the materials and consequently fall prey to its risks.

 

Is there anyway to identify asbestos apart from testing samples?

Most of the houses constructed in the 1980’s contain asbestos. Materials such cement sheet had asbestos fibres used to bond the cement particles. Roofs with corrugated cement sheets are at high risk to contain asbestos. Pipes in bathrooms and toilets are also highly likely to have asbestos in them.

Lastly, by use of an expert, carry out a walkthrough inspection to identify asbestos in rooms, spaces and storage areas. During the walkthrough, take notes and photos which could be core in producing an asbestos register. Most licensed asbestos removalists can identify the material just by looking at it.

 

Disposing of Asbestos

Asbestos is quite hazardous and requires careful removal and disposal. Since the 1970s, there has been a sharp decline in the use of asbestos following the discovery that it poses great health and safety threats. Laws and regulations govern the handling and disposal of asbestos.

Considering the health impacts of handling asbestos, the government has taken the directive to dispose of asbestos wastes. As such, the disposal of asbestos from households and workplaces is under the control a select body, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Asbestos can only be disposed of at approved waste management facilities.

 

What You Need to Know About Asbestos Disposal

Asbestos is highly hazardous. Here are critical points you should grasp on asbestos waste disposal:

  • It is illegal to dump asbestos.
  • Ensure that you do not have asbestos products in your hard rubbish collection.
  • The Health ACT 1958 forbids the disposal of asbestos on either private or public land.

 

Who can dispose asbestos in Victoria?

Only licensed contractors can legally dispose of asbestos. The government has set out regulations regarding the transporartion and disposal of asbestos. There are two classes of licenses; Class A and Class B, under the model WHS Regulations.

There are cases when the law in Victoria allows one to remove asbestos waste in Melbourne without a license. One of such conditions is in the case of a non-friable material. Additionally, this may only apply where the concerned area is not more than 10 square meters.

 

Disposal of asbestos is governed by the following legal requirements.

  • It is against the law to store, sell, or give away asbestos.
  • It is against the law to reuse or recycle asbestos products.
  • Asbestos waste products must get disposed of at a landfill site that is allowed to do so by the law.
  • The local council operates landfill sites that can legally receive asbestos waste products.
  • It is against the law to dispose of asbestos waste in garbage bins at home.

 

Cost of Asbestos Disposal

The cost for disposing of asbestos starts from approximately $300. This is a minimum fee which includes pickup from the location, transportation and waste dumping fees. Most landfills charge per tonne. Price range from $50 to $250 per tonne as asbestos waste.

If you have asbestos material that requires dumping, contact your nearest removalist for advice. If you would like to speak with a licensed asbestos removal professional you can contact Pro Asbestos Removal Melbourne who will offer unbiased advice.

 

Landfills that Accept Asbestos

Some landfills only accept domestic asbestos products. Commercial asbestos waste can only be disposed of in approved commercial waste dumps.

We recommend you call the landfill prior to delivery. Some may choose not to take the waste. Always call to make an appoitnment and confirm.

Note: Landfills will not accept incorrectly packed asbestos.

 

 

Suburb Location Phone Hours

Domestic Landfills
ALEXANDRA 122 Mt Pleasant Rd 5772 0333 Phone for appointment.
BENALLA Old Farnely Rd 5762 4017 Phone for appointment.
DRYSDALE Becks Rd 5251 2935 Mon–Sun: 8 am – 4.15 pm
FINGAL 280 Truemans Rd 5988 6731 Mon–Fri: 8 am – 4 pm
Sat/Sun and public holidays: 8 am – 5 pm
GRANTVILLE 1685 Bass Hwy (Off Stanley Rd) 5678 8739 Mon–Sun: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
KILMANY Velore Road 5142 3440 Mon–Fri: 8 am – 5 pm
Sat–Sun: 9 am – 5 pm
KOONWARRA 275 Koonwarra–Inverloch Rd 5662 9200 Must call 24 hrs prior
Mon–Fri: 8 am – 4 pm
Sat–Sun: 10 am – 4 pm
LOY YANG Hyland Hwy 1300 367 700 Phone for appointment.
POREPUNKAH Off Roberts Creek Road 0418 396 122 Phone for appointment.
SHEPPARTON 200 Cosgrove – Lemmons Road 5832 9700
5832 9871		 Open to public on first Wednesday of each month.
WANDELLA Denyer Rd 5450 9333 Phone for appointment.
Tue–Fri: 8.30 am – 5 pm

Commercial Landfills
BULLA 600 Sunbury Rd 9307 1000 Mon–Fri: 6:.30 am – 5.00 pm
Sat: 6.30 am – 1 pm
LONGFORD Dutson Downs. Lochsport Rd 1800 066 401 Phone for appointment.
LYNDHURST 890 Taylors Rd 9702 8111 Must call for an appointment
Mon–Fri: 7 am – 3 pm

Commercial and Domestic Landfills
BOWSER 5 Coleman Rd 5722 0888 Mon–Fri: 8 am – 3.30 pm
Sat: 8 am –11 am
BROOKLYN 124 Jones Rd 9314 8300 Phone for appointment.
BULLA 500 Sunbury Rd Bulla 9307 1348 Mon–Fri :7 am – 4.30 pm
Sat: 7 am – 12 noon
CAMPBELLS CREEK Sluicers Rd 5470 5348
5471 1700		 Phone for appointment.
Mon–Fri: 10 am – 4 pm
Sat–Sun: 10 am – 5 pm
DOOEN 81 Ladlows Rd 5382 9777
5382 9750		 Phone for appointment.
Mon–Fri: 8.30 am – 4 pm
FORGE CREEK 200 Johnstons Rd 5152 6353 Mon–Fri: 8 am – 5 pm
Sat/Sun: 9 am – 5 pm
EAGLEHAWK 191–193 Upper California Gully Rd 5446 3917 Commercial – Mon–Fri: 8 am – 5 pm
Domestic – Mon–Sun: 8 am – 5 pm
FYANSFORD 1–503 Hamilton Hwy 5224 2251 Mon–Sat: 8 am – 3 pm
MILDURA Ontario Ave 5018 8100 Mon–Fri: 7 am – 4.45 pm
Sat/Sun and public holidays: 8 am – 2.45 pm
PATHO 320 Davis Rd 5456 2500 Phone for appointment.
PORTLAND Derrill Rd off Cape Nelson Rd 5523 3768 Must call 24 hrs prior.
Mon–Fri: 8 am – 4.30 pm
Sat–Sun: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
SMYTHESDALE 1380 Glenelg Hwy 5342 8540
5320 5500		 Mon–Fri: 7 am – 4.30 pm
Sat: 9 am – 3 pm
STAWELL 492 Pomonal Rd 0419 309 737 or
5352 1433		 Mon–Fri: 8.30 am – 4 pm
Saturday by appointment only.
SWAN HILL Swan Hill–Sea Lake Rd 5032 9260 Mon–Fri: 9 am – 4 pm
Sat: 9 am – 2 pm
Sun: 9 am – 4 pm
TUERONG 435 Balnarring Rd 5989 7333 Mon–Fri: 7 am – 3 pm
Sat: 7 am – 12 pm
WOLLERT 45 Bridge Inn Rd 9408 1299 Mon–Fri: 7 am – 4.45 pm
Sat: 7 am – 3 pm