What is it and where will it be found?

Asbestos is a mineral fibre that was used for many years due to its strength and resistance to heat and oil.

It’s classed as 'hazardous waste' which means that it has to be dealt with in a special way.

Asbestos can be found in many forms and the main types tend to be either soft or hard asbestos.  Soft asbestos is a fibrous insulating material and may still be found in older properties as pipe lagging, insulating board, ceiling tiles, internal walls and panels.  

Hard asbestos is much more common.  This hard solid sheet material was used extensively for shed roofs and garages, other asbestos cement products, ironing board mats and to provide insulation around fires or others heat sources.

Asbestos can be hazardous to health if handled incorrectly.  For advice on the correct handling of asbestos, please contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506

What should I do with it?

As it's hazardous, it must only be handled by sites that have appropriate licences.  It’s important to avoid all release of asbestos dust to the air when handling this type of waste to minimise the risk to anyone who may come into contact with it.

1. County Council

We recommend that in the interests of safety, you should always employ specialist contractors to carry out asbestos removal works on your behalf and it would then be their responsibility to dispose of the asbestos safely and legally.

If you insist on carrying out the work yourself, we can provide a free disposal service. We allow a householder to dispose of asbestos on one occasion only from their own home free of charge.  This is a tightly controlled process and will be audited through a booking system. In order to qualify for the free disposal you must meet the conditions below:

• You must live in the County, If you live in the City, contact 0115 915 2000 for advice
• You must have dismantled the asbestos yourself
• The asbestos must be taken to the specified drop off site by yourself the householder
• The asbestos must be transported by you in your own car, car and  trailer or hired van.  Commercial vehicles, vans, tippers, pick-ups or personally owned vans are not able to qualify for free disposal
• The asbestos must be delivered to the site in one load only
• Asbestos will be booked into a site on a Saturday morning.  Up to 8 weeks notice may be required during the winter. season.

To arrange for the free disposal of asbestos, please contact us.

2. District/City Councils

Some of the District/Borough Councils in Nottinghamshire are able to offer a collection service for asbestos.  Please contact your local council for advice.

3. Private contractors

For a collection service, or to dispose of large amounts of asbestos, you’ll need to contact a licensed private company.  Look in the ‘Yellow Pages’ for a list of contractors.