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Asbestos

Are you planning to demolish or renovate something soon? If you're working on a house or shed built before 1994, it could contain asbestos. Asbestos was once widely used in building materials, such as roof sheathing, siding, corrugated sheeting, sealant, pipes, ceiling tiles, chimneys, window sills, and floor coverings. Since 1993, the use of asbestos has been banned due to its dangerous health risks. As asbestos ages, it can release dangerous fibers that can cause cancer if inhaled. Therefore, asbestos must be removed safely and responsibly.

Recognizing and safely removing asbestos

It's important to know how to identify and safely remove asbestos. If you want to do this yourself, there are rules you must follow. You can take the asbestos to one of our recycling centers. But before you do, you must submit a demolition notification to your municipality. Sometimes you also need a permit. You can find more information about this on your municipality's website.

On the website of South Holland South Environmental Service en Environmental Service Utrecht region discover how to recognize asbestos.

Step-by-step plan for removing asbestos

Consult the step-by-step plan "Removing asbestos at home" on the website of the South Holland South Environmental Service. Or on the website of the Utrecht Region Environmental Service.

Delivering asbestos to the recycling center

Before you take the asbestos to the recycling center, you must complete a form notifying you of your intention to dispose of it. You can download this form. Submit this form, along with your demolition notification or permit, to the recycling center manager. You must wrap the asbestos in special foil and seal it securely. This foil and tape are available free of charge at our recycling center.

Download the asbestos notification form

FAQ

Asbestos has a major drawback. Sawing, drilling, or breaking into materials containing asbestos releases numerous microscopic fibers. These fibers can easily be inhaled and enter the lungs. This can cause serious health problems, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma (asbestos-related cancer). Therefore, it's important to always be vigilant when doing DIY or renovation work in a house or shed built before 1994.

Asbestos can be found in homes or sheds built before 1994. You can find it in, among other places:

  • Cement drain pipes
  • Roof boarding
  • Facade panels
  • Corrugated sheets
  • Kit of window frames
  • Pipes
  • Bakelite: Sinks, toilet seats, electrical parts such as telephone housings and switches, plugs
  • Brake linings from old cars
  • Ceiling plates
  • Plates behind the central heating boiler
  • Chimneys
  • Windowsills
  • floor tarpaulin
  • Bitumen: Adhesive under tiles, adhesive under roofing felt
  • Asbestos cord: Gaskets, sealing material around stove flues, air ducts and chimneys, simmer plates, insulation of electrical cables

Do you suspect asbestos? Have it tested. Don't take any chances; have a professional inspection carried out to confirm. A specialized company can take samples and test them to determine if asbestos is indeed present. If it is, they will advise you on its removal.