Disposal · Hobart

Asbestos Disposal in Hobart: Plan It Before You Move It

Asbestos waste isn't ordinary rubbish. How it's packaged, transported and disposed of is strictly regulated in Tasmania.

Once asbestos has been removed, the job isn't finished until the waste is safely at a licensed facility. Asbestos can't go into household bins, general skip bins, kerbside collections or recycling. When you book removal through us, a licensed local removalist manages the whole process from removal through to disposal, so you're not left with a pile of wrapped sheeting and a list of rules to work through.

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The rules

How Asbestos Waste Must Be Handled in Tasmania

Packaging. Asbestos waste must be wrapped in two layers of thick plastic or approved asbestos bags and taped securely so no dust can escape, then clearly labelled.
Transport and tracking. Asbestos is a controlled waste in Tasmania (EPA category N230). Controlled waste must be transported within the state by a registered controlled waste transporter, and it can only go to a facility licensed to accept it. If you're a homeowner thinking of moving even a small amount yourself, check with EPA Tasmania and the receiving facility first.

Local facilities

Where Asbestos Goes in Hobart

The City of Hobart accepts residential asbestos at the McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre (The Tip), McRobies Road, South Hobart. Council's waste guide limits asbestos to 25 kilograms per customer, and it must be covered in two layers of thick black builders' plastic or approved asbestos bags and taped so no particles can escape. McRobies Gully does not accept commercial asbestos loads.

For more than 25 kilograms, Council directs people to specialist waste companies such as Veolia, Cleanaway or Southern Waste Solutions. Southern Waste Solutions' Lutana Resource Recovery Centre (129 Derwent Park Road, Lutana) accepts small volumes of asbestos if you contact them first, and the company operates the Copping Waste Precinct, home to Tasmania's only regulated waste cell.

Council notes access for asbestos can be limited or suspended, so always call ahead. McRobies Gully can be contacted on (03) 6238 2581.

If your property is outside the City of Hobart area, keep in mind that Greater Hobart is split across several councils (Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence, Kingborough, Brighton, Sorell, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley), and each has its own waste facilities and asbestos rules. The removalist will confirm the right facility for your job.

Worker loading construction waste into a truck

Why use a professional

Why It Pays to Have a Professional Handle Disposal

Your health. Every time asbestos is lifted, stacked, loaded and unloaded, there's a chance of breakage. A licensed contractor uses controlled methods to minimise that risk at every step.
Getting it right the first time. Loads that aren't correctly wrapped, labelled, documented or booked can be turned away, leaving you with asbestos in your car, trailer or driveway and nowhere to take it.
Avoiding costly contamination. If asbestos gets mixed with other renovation or demolition waste, the whole load may have to be treated as asbestos waste, turning a small job into a much more expensive one.
Protecting yourself legally. Illegal dumping of asbestos carries significant penalties, and the cost of cleaning up can fall on the property owner. Using a licensed contractor and keeping proof of disposal protects you.
Proof it was done properly. You'll receive documentation confirming your asbestos went to a licensed facility, which is worth keeping for insurance, future sales, or an asbestos register.

DIY limits

What About Removing Small Amounts Yourself?

In Tasmania, less than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos can be removed without a licence, but the work must follow the How to Safely Remove Asbestos code of practice. Anything larger, and any friable asbestos, must be removed by a licensed removalist. Even for small jobs, WorkSafe Tasmania recommends getting professional advice first. The City of Hobart's A to Z waste guide sets out the packaging requirements and the 25 kilogram limit. This page isn't a do-it-yourself guide. If you're unsure what the material is, how much there is or the correct procedure, please get professional advice before touching it.

What's included

What's Included When a Licensed Removalist Handles Disposal

Every quote includes a clear written scope, so you'll know how your asbestos will be packaged, transported and disposed of, which licensed facility it's going to, and what documentation you'll receive. If you get a quote from anyone else, always check in writing whether disposal is included. A low removal price that leaves the waste to you isn't a bargain.

Contacts

Helpful Local Contacts

For current disposal conditions, contact McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre, (03) 6238 2581, before transporting any material, as rules, fees and booking requirements can change. For state-wide rules, visit WorkSafe Tasmania and EPA Tasmania.