Around 180,000 tonnes of bonded (cement) asbestos are disposed of each year in the UK.
Unfortunately, the ESA has said that landfill operators have noted instances of hauliers arriving on site with asbestos waste presented for disposal in varying conditions, including loose and unwrapped within open containers.
This has implications for all those in the asbestos management chain, including compliance, risk and insurance. The guidance aims to bring an end to poor practice.
Updates to previous guidance on bonded asbestos waste
In an update to a previous version, the guidance provides some clarity on the circumstances in which loads should be consigned under full ADR regulations, or where the SP168 exemption could legitimately apply.
The guidance also explains how the asbestos should be packaged and presented under each option and assists disposal site managers of the actions and decisions needed to be taken depending on how loads of this material are presented at site.
The ESA has said that the uptake and implementation of the guidance will be monitored and that it hopes that this will help bring about the necessary step-change in the management and handling of this waste stream – with the aim of securing more consistent compliance across the entire management chain.
Additionally, the ESA will seek to engage organisations across the waste management chain that its members tend to have less influence over – namely waste producers and hauliers, to help raise awareness of the approach taken in the guidance.
The guidance can be viewed and downloaded here or through the ESA’s members’ area.
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