AAA Change text size and contrast

Disposal of Asbestos

Neither South Oxfordshire District Council or Oxfordshire County Council provide a collection for asbestos. The County will collect some special waste, but asbestos is not included in this list.

Disposal of Cement Bonded Asbestos in Oxfordshire

There are three waste recycling centres  in Oxfordshire that accept cement bonded asbestos from the public.

• Ardley Fields, Brackley Road, Ardley - 01869 343459
• Redbridge, Old Abingdon Road, Oxford - 01865 721464
• Dix, Linch Hill, Stanton Harcourt - 01865 880782

Before visiting a site to dispose of cement bonded asbestos you must first telephone to ensure that there will be sufficient space in the special skip to accept it. The material cannot be accepted if it cannot be placed in the skip. You will need to give the site your name, address and telephone number.

Care in dealing with cement bonded asbestos:

• When removing the asbestos keep it damp
• Do not saw it, cut it, break it or rub it in any way
• Double wrap it in 400 gauge polythene
• Before visiting the waste recycling centre telephone
• At the waste recycling centre report to the weighbridge office and follow the directions of the site staff
• You will be responsible for removing the material from your vehicle and placing it in the skip
• Place it in the skip carefully, do not throw it in

You will not be permitted to dispose of more than eight sheets in any one visit

Remember, if you have not phoned the recycling centre beforehand you will not be permitted to dispose of the material - contact the waste recycling centre first. 

Please note, this facility is for householders taking their own waste and not for trade waste. Quantities in excess of 10kg require pre-notification notice. These can be obtained from the Environment Agency on 0845 700 1166.

If you have a company or tradesman in to take down the material it is the responsibility of that company or tradesman to dispose of it. It cannot be left with you for disposal. To do so would be illegal. You should also establish before hiring anyone to deal with cement bonded asbestos that they have the necessary licence and paperwork from the Environment Agency.

Further information

For more information on asbestos removal please call 08450 50 45 50 or email waste.management@oxfordshire.gov.uk

The Health and Safety Executive can offer advice and supply a list of approved contractors who can check for asbestos and seal or remove it from the premises. Telephone 01256 404000. Answers to FAQs and a list of approved contractors are available online at the Health and Safety Executive website.

You can also download the DETR ‘Asbestos in the home’ leaflet - follow the link on the right.

Asbestos at work

If you own, manage or have responsibilities for a workplace building that may contain asbestos, you need to think about the risk of exposure to workers and others who may use the building.  You need to be able to identify, assess and manage any asbestos materials on your premises.

Further information on asbestos in the workplace can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website.

Asbestos in the home

Asbestos is sometimes found in domestic properties. However, undisturbed asbestos usually poses no problems, although care should be taken to prevent the release of fibres as they can cause serious damage to your health.

Further information about asbestos in the home can be found on the Direct Gov website.

Asbestos - the dangers

Asbestos is the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral used for making incombustible or fireproof materials. The use of these materials is now banned because exposure to them can lead to:

• asbestosis or fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs
• lung cancer
• mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the chest wall or abdominal cavity

There is no cure for asbestos related diseases. Asbestos was widely used as a building marterial during the 1930s to 1980s therefore properties built or refurbished during this time are more likely to contain it. From 1976 British manufacturers had to label any goods containing asbestos and in 1993 it was banned. However, some imported goods may still contain asbestos.