Dispose of home asbestos

Asbestos is classified as a Special Waste and is subject to specific disposal procedures

Why may asbestos be a problem?

When asbestos materials age or become damaged they can release fibres into the air. When these are breathed in, they can stay in the lung for a long time and can cause lung diseases, including cancer. This is why asbestos has been classified as a Special Waste and is subject to specific disposal procedures. Arrangements required to dispose of domestic asbestos in the Highland Council area can be found below.

For further guidance please refer to our Asbestos in the Home guidance.

Where can it be found?

Asbestos can be found in many places around houses, especially those built in the 1960s and 1970s. It was used for insulation boards, lagging pipes, inside storage heaters and corrugated roofing. Our Environmental Health team can provide advice on identifying asbestos sources in the home.

Health and Safety Advice from the Scottish Government can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website.

Remember: If in doubt, ask for advice.

You may wish to arrange for a suitable contractor to take a sample of the material to establish if it is asbestos.

If you wish to dispose of small amounts of bonded asbestos from small domestic DIY projects

Check that your waste can be accepted

We have made provision for the disposal of small amounts of bonded asbestos from small domestic DIY activities at selected Household Waste Recycling Centres and Waste Transfer Stations across the region. Actual amounts that can be disposed of at each site are limited by operational constraints and Waste Management Licence controls. You should discuss your proposals with your local Waste Management Officer.

We reserve the right to limit the size and/or number of any load(s) of bonded asbestos
Sheets larger than 6 feet by 3 feet are not accepted

Call 01349 886603 before you start any works and an enquiry will be forwarded to the Waste Management Officer for your area. The Waste Management Officer will contact you to discuss if the disposal of your asbestos is suitable and will arrange a date and time for disposal of the waste.

Remove it safely

Householders should only tackle minor work, and observe all precautions and requirements set out in this guidance. For more extensive work, call upon the services of a specialised licensed contractor.

Handle it safely

Always wear protective clothing when handling asbestos. Work outside if possible and use hand tools rather than power tools. In some cases it might be safer not to remove it - Environmental Health staff can advise. To raise an enquiry with our Environmental Health team, phone 01349 886603.

Keep it secure

Keep asbestos waste, or even suspected asbestos waste, safe from interference (for example; children should be kept away from it). Keep it wet to avoid producing dust.

Wrap it up

All asbestos waste should be double wrapped
Use thick plastic bags that are strong enough so that it does not tear when used, or other containers (e.g. a drum)
Put the asbestos in a bag and seal it, then put it all into a second bag or container and seal that
Label the outside DANGER: ASBESTOS

Do not break up asbestos.

Fill in the paperwork

Pre-notification forms must be obtained from us directly.

Download our request form
Read our privacy notice
Call us on 01349 886603
Only asbestos that has been removed by the householder (and not a contractor or any other person) is classed as domestic asbestos.
If a contractor or other person does the work, the waste cannot be accepted at our waste transfer stations or household waste recycling centres

Deliver it to the site

Take your asbestos to the household waste recycling centre or waste transfer station on the date and time pre-arranged with the Waste Management Officer.

Contractors are not permitted to use the facilities
(See "Fill in the paperwork" above).

Household Waste Recycling Centres and Waste Transfer Stations that can accept domestic bonded asbestos

Actual amounts that can be disposed of at each site are limited by operational constraints and Waste Management Licence controls. You should discuss your proposals with your local Waste Management Officer before starting any works.