Asbestos contaminates truckload of green bin organics

A truckload of green bin food and garden waste has had to be landfilled due to asbestos contamination.

The hazardous material was placed in a residential green bin last week and led to the contamination and landfilling of organic material collected from more than 400 households on the bin truck’s round.

Contamination like this costs all ratepayers money because placing organic material into landfill costs significantly more than turning it into compost.

It also creates unnecessary risk to the health and safety of Tweed Shire Council staff, undermines the community’s recycling efforts and increases greenhouse gas emissions from landfill.

“Everyone is responsible for their own waste – especially if it is hazardous and unsafe. Not only has this thoughtless act wasted a truckload of green organic material, it could have put people’s health at risk,” Director Sustainable Communities and Environment Tracey Stinson said.

“With at least one in three Australian homes containing asbestos, if you think an item might be asbestos, it probably is. If you’re unsure of what to do, then please call Council on 02 6670 2400 and we can help.”

Bin collection trucks in the Tweed are fitted with cameras and drivers are on the lookout for items that are unsafe or may cause contamination.

Council is now investigating the incident and close monitoring of bins will continue.

“Asbestos can be safely disposed of at Council’s Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre by residents, providing strict guidelines are followed and it is less than 10 metres square – which is about the size of four standard double mattresses,” Ms Stinson said.

If disposing of asbestos at the resource recovery centre, it must be wrapped in manageable bundles with two layers of plastic and sealed using adhesive packaging tape to ensure no particles escape into the air.

If you have more than 100 kilograms or 10 square metres of asbestos waste to dispose of, this can only be undertaken by a licenced asbestos removal contractor. In addition, the person transporting the load for disposal must report it to the NSW Environment Protection Agency using WasteLocate ( wastelocate.epa.nsw.gov.au). For more information go to www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/asbestos