Asbestos collection

About our asbestos collection service

We can collect and dispose of small amounts of cement based asbestos (up to 120kg) produced as a result of carrying out home improvements. 

This is a collection service only. We do not remove, bag or wrap the asbestos. You must remove, bag or wrap the asbestos before we collect it.

This service is only available to households within the Belfast City Council electoral area. Each domestic property will be restricted to one collection in any 12-month period.

We can’t:

• accept asbestos at any of our recycling centres or amenity sites
• collect asbestos that has been removed by a contractor working on your home
• enter your home to collect asbestos once it has been bagged

What is cement based asbestos?

Cement based asbestos is a bonded material commonly used for roofing outbuildings such as garages and for guttering, central heating flues and soil pipes.

Cement based asbestos can be confused with asbestos insulation board which is similar in appearance, but is much more hazardous as it is softer. These types of asbestos need specialist removal, handling and disposal.

For more information or guidance about domestic asbestos in your home, visit the HSENI website (link opens in new window). You can call HSENI on 028 9024 3349 or email [email protected].

How to book a collection

There are two stages that you must complete to use our asbestos collection service.

Stage one: make an initial enquiry to check if we can collect your asbestos

You should contact us by calling 0800 032 8100 or emailing [email protected]. We will ask you about the item you would like us to collect. We can only collect cement-based asbestos weighing up to 120kg.

We will use the information you give us to decide if we can collect your item. If we can, we will send you a maximum of two sets of asbestos collection bags. You will need to remove the asbestos and wrap it in the asbestos collection bags. You should follow the ‘guidelines for removal of asbestos’.

Stage two: book an asbestos collection

Once you have removed the asbestos, you should contact us to arrange a collection date. You can arrange a collection using our online form.

Arrange asbestos collection (link opens in new window)

Or, you can call 0800 032 8100.

You should only complete the online form to arrange collection. Do not complete the form until you have removed and wrapped the asbestos.

We'll contact you when we've organised a collection date and ask you to confirm where the asbestos will be left.

It is important to follow the instructions when bagging your material. We will not collect asbestos which is not properly bagged or wrapped. You will have to re-bag or re-wrap it and wait for the next collection, which can take up to four weeks.

We will collect a maximum of 120kg of asbestos. We will not collect more than 120kg and you will need to arrange for a registered contractor to dispose of any asbestos over this limit.

If you need asbestos collection bags, call 0800 032 8100 or email [email protected].

Guidelines for removal of asbestos

You must follow these steps when removing cement-based asbestos. Asbestos is a hazardous material, and you remove it at your own risk.

You should take care when handling asbestos. Never bring it to any of our civic amenity sites or recycling centres.  

Always check with us or the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (link opens in new window) to see if asbestos can be safely removed before it is collected.

If it can, you should:

• wear protective overalls and dispose of them afterwards in the bags provided
• wear an asbestos-proof dust mask
• keep other people and animals out of the area
• don't break up asbestos - breaking it releases the dangerous fibres into the air
• dampen the area with water
• sweep up the dust with a damp cloth, and seal it in the bags provided
• not use a vacuum to remove asbestos dust.

The asbestos waste must be double bagged or double wrapped. It should be sealed in the large heavy-duty plastic bags provided by us or heavy-duty plastic sheeting material, which can be purchased from your local builders’ merchants or hardware shop.

We can provide you with a clear and a red heavy-duty plastic bag to wrap your material in, and instructions on how to handle the asbestos.

You should:

1. fill the red bag and securely seal it with tape
2. place the red bag and its contents into the clear plastic bag
3. securely seal the clear bag.

Do not overfill the bags (maximum of 25kg per bag) and make sure that no sharp edges can tear the bags. If the item or material is too large for the bags, you must double wrap it in plastic sheeting. Any disposable face masks, gloves or overalls used while removing the material should also be placed in the bags supplied.

Once you remove and bag up the asbestos, leave it at the agreed collection point. 

If you have more asbestos than we can collect, call the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (link opens in new window) on 028 9056 9710 for a list of companies registered to dispose of asbestos. 

Once the material has been bagged or wrapped in line with these instructions, contact the Fleet and Resources Service to arrange your collection date by:

• completing our online form
• 0800 0328100
• emailing [email protected]

Material which is not properly bagged or wrapped will not be collected. You may have to wait for a further four weeks for the next collection, so it is important to follow the instructions when bagging your material.

We will remove up to a maximum of 120kg of asbestos from a domestic property per collection, free of charge. Each domestic property will be restricted to one collection in any 12-month period.