Asbestos awareness
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that was a common building material in the UK, until it was banned in 1999. It has a needle-like structure and is heat, chemical and water resistant.
Where can asbestos be found?
Asbestos can be found in many places, including industrial and residential sites. Some common items include:
Floor and ceiling tiles
Boilers and storage heaters
Ironing boards
Old water tanks
Planters and pots
Gutters and down pipes
You can find further images and examples of asbestos on the Health and Safety Executive website.
What is the problem with asbestos?
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed, fibres are released into the air. If people inhale these fibres, they can cause serious health problems and diseases.
How to dispose of asbestos
Hazardous waste, including asbestos, is not accepted at any Essex County Council recycling centre or in your kerbside collection.
Asbestos is a material that may put human health or the environment at risk.
When an item containing asbestos is disposed of in one of the containers at the recycling centre, it contaminates the entire load. This is very costly to deal with, and has a damaging effect on the environment.
Essex residents can request a collection of asbestos, if it is from their own household.
Request a collection of asbestos
Find out more about dealing with asbestos from The Health and Safety Executive. Alternatively, you can contact Essex County Council if you cannot use the online form or have any further enquiries.