One of the Most Dumped Items in Northern Ireland is Asbestos

One of the most dumped items in Northern Ireland is asbestos according to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

The NI Environment agency enforcement officer said they were keen to remind businesses of their legal duty to properly dispose of waste. It is also up to businesses to ensure that any company being paid to dispose of waste does so properly.

Over the years there has been some businesses keen to avoid expensive disposal fees and so pay a small fee to an unreliable contractor to dump waste. Some of these disposal companies may not dispose of hazardous waste appropriately.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) visits many businesses and commercial premises to investigate any reported issues. They will assess all reports and if needed take enforcement action including prosecution. Repeat offenders are dealt with very robustly. NIEA say that repeat offending of dumping hazardous waste can lead to fines of up to £50,000 or a prison term.

If you would like to read more you can view the Belfast Telegraph article here.

Should I Dump Asbestos?

You should never illegally dump asbestos. Asbestos has been dumped illegally for many years due to the costs and time involved in processing it properly. We have seen it dumped near schools and in areas where it can harm the public. If you would like advice on how to properly dispose of asbestos, you can contact your local Council or Health & Safety Executive. They will be best placed to point you in the right direction. There are many companies out there who can safely remove asbestos and getting the professionals in will give you peace of mind.

What If I Don’t Know It’s Asbestos?

Often when people get caught dumping asbestos waste they may not know it is asbestos they are disposing of. If you are doing work to your commercial or domestic property and you are unsure if you are working with asbestos, then feel free to call us. We carry out asbestos surveys across Northern Ireland. We will compile a comprehensive asbestos report on our findings and have samples tested at a UKAS accredited laboratory.

If in doubt, it is best not to disturb the material. We will be happy to conduct an asbestos survey to help you identify your next steps.

Call Philip on 07702 332 333