Asbestos

Asbestos and construction materials and products that contain asbestos are NOT ACCEPTED at Veolia's Sutton Collection Center.

The following information is provided to help you find alternatives for disposal. Exercise caution when it comes to handling, storing, and disposing of these products.

When it comes to hazardous waste such as asbestos, the risk they pose during removal, transit, and delivery puts both the homeowner and staff at risk. Read more below to learn about what to do when you discover hazardous construction materials like asbestos.

Hazards

• Microscopic asbestos fibers from friable (loose or crumbling) asbestos can be suspended in the air and inhaled. Once inhaled, fibers remain in the lungs, causing lung cancer.
• Asbestos may be found in many materials used for home construction, including pipe insulation and insulating boards, textured wall surfaces, electrical equipment, floor and roofing tiles, and certain adhesives.

Handling

• If asbestos is in good condition and fibers are not exposed, it does not need to be removed.
• Slightly damaged or loose asbestos can be re-wrapped rather than removed.
• Asbestos should be handled only by an asbestos abatement contractor licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS). Learn more about when you need to call in specialists to deal with hazardous materials.
• MassDEP requires notification at least ten (10) business days before any asbestos removal activities.
• All asbestos-containing materials must be containerized, labeled, and removed in accordance with MassDEP requirements.
• Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum particles suspected of containing asbestos.

Management Options

• All asbestos materials must be disposed of in landfills permitted to receive asbestos.
• Some out-of-state landfills and transfer stations are also permitted by their state’s environmental agencies to accept asbestos-containing wastes generated in Massachusetts.
• Before taking asbestos to a landfill or transfer station, contact the facility to determine if, when, and under what conditions the facility will accept the material. Asbestos abatement contractors licensed by DLS can be hired to remove asbestos and take it to an approved disposal facility. Asbestos wastes may not be sent to a combustion facility or construction and demolition (C&D) material processor.
• Intact and unbroken vinyl asbestos tile (VAT) and asbestos-containing asphaltic roofing and siding material that are removed in accordance with MassDEP regulations may be managed as solid waste and disposed of in any MassDEP-permitted solid waste landfill.

For more information, see MassDEP Asbestos, Construction & Demolition Notifications.