Asbestos waste and skips - rules, costs and disposal

Analyse the material before you order an asbestos skip

Most people who order an asbestos skip do not know for certain whether the demolition waste contains asbestos - you cannot tell by looking at it. If the €49.99 (incl. VAT) laboratory analysis shows the material is asbestos-free, the waste can go into an ordinary skip and you avoid the higher skip and disposal costs. If asbestos is found, you know you need the right skip and that the work must be done according to the rules. Order an asbestos analysis before you decide on a skip.

Rules for asbestos waste

• Asbestos waste is hazardous waste and must not be mixed with other construction or household waste.
• The waste is packed airtight at the demolition site, in a double layer of plastic sheeting or in sealed bags.
• The packages are clearly labelled as asbestos waste.
• Asbestos waste is only handed in at facilities that accept asbestos - often by prior arrangement.
• Before demolition or renovation work, it must be established whether the building parts concerned contain asbestos. For companies this follows from occupational safety rules (in the EU, Directive 2009/148/EC on protecting workers from asbestos). National rules differ - check with your country's authority.

What does an asbestos skip cost?

A skip for asbestos waste costs considerably more than an ordinary skip, because the waste is transported and accepted separately as hazardous waste. The price depends on the location, the skip size and the amount of waste. Uncertainty about asbestos can therefore make disposal much more expensive. A laboratory analysis is the cheapest way to get certainty: the asbestos analysis costs €49.99 incl. VAT per material sample.

Where do you hand in asbestos waste?

Asbestos waste is only accepted by facilities that handle hazardous waste. Ask your municipality or the nearest recycling centre where you can hand it in and how it must be packed before you go. Send the sample for analysis as a letter or small parcel with your national postal service to our laboratory in Finland - you get the result the same day the sample arrives.

The role of Semlab

Semlab is a laboratory specialising in asbestos analysis - we do not hire out skips or carry out demolition work. We examine material samples with the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope and send you an analysis report. That way you know for certain whether the waste needs an asbestos skip and professional asbestos removal, or whether an ordinary skip is enough.