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NEWS & EVENTS

News & Media

NEWS & MEDIA

Nov 2022

National Asbestos Awareness Week 2022: Think twice about asbestos disposal – do things the right way. 

<strong>National Asbestos Awareness Week 2022: Think twice about asbestos disposal – do things the right way.</strong> 

In 2022, National Asbestos Awareness Week (21-27 November) reminds Australians to Think Twice About Asbestos. This year, the campaign asked home occupiers and tradespeople to ‘do things the right way’ by ensuring the proper and lawful disposal of asbestos. 

An estimated 4,000 Australians die annually from asbestos-related diseases, which is nearly four times the annual road toll. Australia still has one of the highest death rates of asbestos-related diseases per capita in the world.

Asbestos is still present in millions of homes, as well as public and commercial buildings. Many buildings constructed before 1990 still contain asbestos. In fact, across Australia, asbestos is in 1 in 3 homes.  Asbestos causes cancer and if not disposed of properly, it puts council workers, and the community’s health at risk. This is why we are asking all Australians to do things the right way when it comes to asbestos disposal.  

It is our privilege and honour to support people with asbestos disease and to be working with industry to ensure the next generation of tradies are aware of the dangers of asbestos.

Jo Morris, Co-Founder and Managing Director

Alarmingly, *research has shown that over a third of those who have encountered asbestos during a DIY project or renovation admitted to illegal and dangerous disposal – mostly in their own or a neighbour’s household bin.  Also alarming, is the illegal dumping of asbestos waste in the environment or at sites not licensed to accept asbestos waste.   

An estimated 6,000 tonnes of asbestos are illegally dumped every year costing around $11.2 million per annum to remediate.  The impact of illegal dumping extends far beyond health and the environment, costing taxpayers millions each year in clean-up costs and illegally dumped asbestos puts an unnecessary strain on public resources; resources that could be better spent on other vital community services.

Illegal asbestos disposal is a crime. There are strict laws relating to illegal disposal and heavy fines apply. This includes improper disposal of asbestos such as in kerbside or skip bins. All asbestos waste must be properly disposed of at a licensed facility. 

People working on homes built or renovated before 1990 can find out how to remove and dispose of asbestos the right way by contacting a licensed asbestos professional or seeking advice. Even tradies need to call a licensed asbestos professional if they don’t have the equipment, skills, training or a licence to handle asbestos.

By working together, we can make asbestos disease a thing of our past and not our future.

Jo Morris

Protect your household, your workmates, and your community. Find out how to safely and legally dispose of asbestos in your area.

Further information is available at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe and www.asbestossafety.gov.au

*Research conducted by Newgate Research on behalf of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.

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