Who Can Transport and Dispose of Asbestos Waste?

Asbestos used to be a common building material, but it has become less prevalent once experts discovered its adverse health effects. If you have asbestos shingles, insulation, or other materials that you suspect contain asbestos, knowing who can transport asbestos waste and dispose of it properly is crucial for the health of the people around you. 

Ideally, you should hire a local garbage removal company certified to transport and dispose of hazardous waste, which requires a hazardous waste transporter license issued by your local Department of Transportation.

Benefits of Hiring a Certified Waste Removal Company for Transporting Asbestos Waste

There are a few key benefits to hiring a certified hazardous waste removal company for removing asbestos waste from your home or job site:

• Avoids illegal dumping fines: Since asbestos is a controlled material, you cannot place it in normal trash receptacles, and you usually can’t place the hazardous waste in dumpsters. If you’re found improperly disposing of it, you could face fines up to hundreds or even thousands. You’ll have to pay for the cost of hazardous waste removal, but it will almost always be less than the fines you’d face for illegal dumping.

• Keeps you and the people around you safe: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos can cause lung cancer and lung disease if you inhale airborne fibers. Collecting, transporting, and disposing of asbestos is likely to release fibers into the air, so having a professional handle asbestos waste properly prevents you or the people around you from accidentally inhaling the fibers.

• Reduces negative impact on the environment: Asbestos fibers are also bad for the environment, as they can cause lung complications in animals. A properly licensed transportation company will take the necessary steps to prevent fibers from releasing into the air during transportation.

Can I DIY Asbestos Waste Removal?

It is sometimes possible to transport asbestos waste yourself, but it depends on where you live. Your Department of Transportation (DoT) will have rules and regulations for who can transport asbestos waste to a designated disposal facility. In many areas, you’re legally required to hire a waste removal professional who is certified to transport asbestos waste. Some areas have weight limits under which you can transport it yourself.

With that being said, DIY asbestos waste transportation and disposal isn’t a good idea. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and can cause other lung diseases, especially in smokers. If you transport the asbestos yourself, you run the risk of inhaling the airborne fibers yourself or releasing fibers into the air during transportation, putting others at risk.

How do Certified Waste Removal Companies Transport Asbestos Waste?

Waste removal companies that are certified to transport and dispose of asbestos take several precautions to ensure they don’t put themselves, others, or the environment at risk. Those safety precautions are considered when estimating the cost of asbestos removal. The process involves the following:

• Wearing proper safety equipment: First and foremost, all professionals will, at the very least, wear respirators to avoid inhaling asbestos fibers. Many will also wear protective suits to avoid contact with skin.

• Wetting the asbestos: Professionals will spray down the asbestos-containing material with water to prevent fibers from releasing into the air during packaging and transportation.

• Properly sealing the asbestos waste: Packaging asbestos often involves sealing it using plastic sheets. Your professional might seal individual components, wrap the entire inside of the transportation vehicle, or both. This prevents fibers from releasing into the air during transportation and is often required by the DoT.

• Delivering it to a hazardous waste disposal site: Finally, your pro will deliver it to a hazardous waste dumping facility specifically approved to handle hazardous waste and asbestos.