More than 1.5 million UK buildings still contain asbestos, from schools and hospitals to offices and homes. Despite being banned for over two decades, this hidden hazard continues to pose serious health risks – causing around 5,000 deaths every year from asbestos-related diseases.
If you’re in the trade for removing asbestos, it’s important that you follow key safety guidelines to protect yourself and those around you. Knowing how to dispose of asbestos safely isn’t just about compliance. This guide explains everything you need to know about safe asbestos removal, from identifying materials to ensuring they’re handled and disposed of by licensed professionals.
What is asbestos, and why is it dangerous?
Asbestos isn’t a single material but a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals once celebrated for their strength and resistance to heat. During the 20th century, it was used extensively across the construction industry in insulation, roofing sheets, floor tiles, boiler lagging, pipework and fireproofing materials.
There are two main types of asbestos:
- Serpentine (most commonly chrysotile, or white asbestos), made up of soft, flexible, curved fibres
- Amphiboles (including crocidolite and amosite), which contain brittle, needle-like fibres
These fibres don’t dissolve in water or break down easily, which made asbestos incredibly durable, but also incredibly dangerous. When disturbed, asbestos fibres can become airborne and easily inhaled, leading to serious and often fatal illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Despite being banned in 1999, asbestos remains one of the UK’s most persistent health threats. An estimated 1.5 million buildings across the country still contain it, including around three-quarters of schools and thousands of older offices, factories and homes. To this day, it is the single greatest cause of work-related fatalities in the UK.
Understanding how to remove asbestos safely is essential for protecting your team, your property and your community.
Can I dispose of asbestos myself?
You might wonder: “Can I just remove it and dispose of it myself?” The simple answer is, usually not safely or legally, unless certain strict conditions are met.
Only cement-bonded (non-friable) asbestos (e.g., certain asbestos-cement roof sheets) may be removed by a competent homeowner, provided local rules permit. Even then, you must check your local council’s regulations and use the correct disposal routes.
For any other type of asbestos, especially friable (crumbly) materials, you must hire a licensed professional contractor to remove and dispose of it safely at a permitted facility. Visual inspection alone can’t reliably identify the type of asbestos, so playing “guessing game” is far too risky.
What are the key steps for safe asbestos disposal?
Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to how to get asbestos removed (or to safely oversee its removal) that aligns with UK best practices:
- Confirm the type of asbestos
Always have an expert test suspect material in a lab. Never assume.
- Isolate the work area
Seal off the zone, restrict access, cover doorways and vents, & display warning signage.
- Work outdoors if possible
If indoors, maintain good ventilation while preventing cross-contamination.
- Keep the material wet
Dampen asbestos to reduce airborne dust. Use a fine mist, not flooding.
- Remove in whole sheets; avoid breakage
Never saw, drill, sand, or break the material that releases fibres.
- Wear proper protective equipment (PPE)
Use disposable overalls, gloves, and a respirator certified for asbestos (P3 filter or higher).
- Bag and seal waste carefully
Use UN-approved heavy-duty polythene sheeting (≥ 1000 gauge) or double bags. Seal with duct tape. No black bin liners or casual bags.
- Label clearly
Each package must state “Asbestos-Containing Material” or “Asbestos”, show the hazard symbol, and include handling instructions and contact details.
- Do not mix with other waste
Keep asbestos waste separate; never toss into general waste or recycling.
- Never use power tools, vacuums, or brushes
These spread fibres. Use wet wiping or controlled disposal.
- Pack large items whole
If you have asbestos cement sheets, wrap them intact in polythene and do not break them further.
If you cannot immediately dispose of the wrapped waste, store it in a secured, sealed container until collection.
How is asbestos transported and disposed of?
You might ask, how is asbestos disposed of once collected? Here’s what the law and best practice require:
- Use a licensed waste carrier registered to handle hazardous materials. Often, this is exactly where firms like Greenline Environmental come in.
- If available, you can sometimes arrange a hazardous waste collection service via your local council, following their procedures.
- The carrier must deliver the asbestos waste to a licensed landfill or hazardous waste disposal facility, with full documentation (consignment notes, transfer records).
- The documentation must accompany transport so regulators can trace every load.
Because procedures vary across London boroughs and the South East, you must check with your local council or choose a reputable specialist waste management company familiar with your area’s rules.
Are there alternative or emerging methods for asbestos disposal?
At present, the vast majority of asbestos waste still ends up in specialist landfills. However, research is ongoing into “denaturing” technologies – processes that use heat, chemical change, or encapsulation to permanently neutralise asbestos fibres.
These methods are not yet widespread or universally accepted, so your best safe bet today is the tried and tested route: licensed removal and disposal.
Where do you dispose of asbestos legally, and what are the legal risks?
You might ask where can you dispose of asbestos legally? The answer is: only at approved hazardous waste sites or licensed landfills handling asbestos. Never your municipal tip (except in rare, heavily regulated cases).
The legal risks of incorrect disposal are severe:
- Fines and prosecution under UK environmental and hazardous waste laws
- Liability for future damage
- Contamination of land, soil, and groundwater
- Major reputation damage if your business is found in breach
That’s why you must always follow the proper steps and retain documentation.
Final reminders and why Greenline Environmental should be your trusted partner
- Never attempt to identify or remove asbestos without certainty – mistakes are life-threatening.
- Always obtain, keep, and review all disposal documents.
- Do not bury, mix, or send asbestos waste to general tips.
- Use licensed waste carriers and professional services.
As a family-run business, Greenline Environmental has provided eco-conscious, reliable waste removal 24/7, for over 13 years in London and the South East. We specialise in hazardous waste and asbestos removal, with strict compliance and environmental care.
If you need to learn how to dispose of asbestos, how to remove it, or how to get asbestos removed safely, look no further. Let us handle the risk, the legal burden, and the technical process for you.
Contact Greenline Environmental today for a survey, quote or expert guidance, and ensure your site is safe and legally compliant from start to finish.