Construction waste
Advice for home builders and renovators
As much as 40 per cent of Australia’s waste comes from building and demolition activities, yet more than 75 per cent of this waste is made up of reusable or recyclable materials such as bricks, concrete, steel, aluminium, timber, plasterboard and glass.
By reusing and recycling building materials, we can:
- avoid landfill disposal costs
- spend less money on materials and potentially make money by selling unused or recovered items
- reduce our consumption of energy and water
- cut our greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the extraction, harvesting, construction, transportation and distribution of new products.
The most effective way to reduce construction waste is to make it clear what you want and expect from your designer and builder. You should talk to them up-front about how to minimise waste materials and maximise resource recovery for scrap metals, concrete, bricks, tiles and untreated timber. If these can be kept separate, you can prevent money and resources from going to waste.
Otherwise, ensure your selected skip bin company sorts to save. A contract clause incorporating this is recommended.
To manage waste effectively at your site, you can also:
- make space available to sort or store different materials for recycling
- ensure all contractors are aware of the waste management requirements
- ensure loose rubbish and construction materials are not washed into drains and waterways.
More information
Your Home: Australia’s Guide to Environmentally Sustainable Homes
Planet Ark Find a Recycler
Household Building and Renovation, NSW Environment Protection Authority
Asbestos
Asbestos was used as a building material in Australia between the 1940s and 1980s. It is now known to cause several disabling or fatal illnesses, which usually develop many years after exposure. For more information about asbestos visit asbestos.nsw.gov.au
How to remove asbestos
A licensed asbestos removalist can identify asbestos and safely remove it from your property.
Only Class A licensed removalists can work with the most dangerous asbestos, known as friable asbestos, which crumbles into dust easily, usually due to age or exposure to the elements or fire.
Class B licensed removalists are only allowed to dispose of non-friable, bonded asbestos.
Licensed asbestos assessors and removalists
Council does not make recommendations but to help ensure your safety and to make it easier for you to contact a licensed professional please search for asbestos assessors and removalists on the Service NSW website.
Disposing of asbestos
For disposal charges please see the fees & charges schedule(PDF, 4MB).
Because asbestos is a danger to everyone, it must arrive for disposal:
- wetted down to prevent dangerous dust fibres being released
- clearly labelled Danger Asbestos Hazard
- double wrapped in thick builders plastic. The corners and edges of asbestos sheeting can be sharp, so folding cardboard around these points when packing is advisable to prevent the plastic from tearing.
Residential loads (of up to 10m²) of waste containing or potentially containing harmful asbestos can be safely disposed of at Kempsey Waste Management Centre.
Bonded asbestos greater than 10m² and/or all friable asbestos can only be removed by a licensed contractor. NSW WasteLocate must be used.
How to dispose of your asbestos