The Minns Labor Government is launching an NSW Asbestos Plan of Action and will conduct a two-year trial allowing NSW households to have asbestos waste picked up and disposed of for free.
We're investing $16 million to improve the way NSW handles asbestos waste, in critical asbestos reforms that will create safer environments for workers and the community.
$9 million will be used to establish a two-year trial of a household collection program starting next year, which will offer NSW households a free pick up and disposal service for asbestos waste. This will lead to less illegal dumping and safer handling for families and workers.
This is one key part of the Government's comprehensive response to the Chief Scientist's report into asbestos in the waste stream.
Illegal dumping is a major problem across the state costing councils millions of dollars each year to clean up. Asbestos waste is often found in illegally dumped materials - in part because of the cost to dispose of it correctly.
Many people undergoing renovations don't know where to safely dispose of asbestos or find it is expensive. This often leads to mistaken disposal or illegal dumping. These reforms mean it will be easy and free to do the right thing.
The Government's Asbestos Plan of Action identifies a range of responses to deal with asbestos in the waste supply chain, including stronger controls and training on work sites to protect workers and the waste stream, and a more robust supply chain to prevent contamination. Many of the changes also bring NSW into line with other states and territories.
The Plan was developed through strong consultation including with SafeWork NSW, the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Institute, industry, workers and the NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee.
The Plan is now publicly available online: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/management-asbestos-recovered-material
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:
"One in three houses built before 1990 contains asbestos - that's why it's important to make it cheaper and easier for NSW families to dispose of these materials.
"To avoid the looming waste crisis in NSW, we need to increase resource recovery and reduce barriers to safely disposing of problematic waste types, like asbestos.
"We're acting upon recommendations to tighten the entire supply chain - making sure it is safer for workers, better for industry and trusted by the community."
Kim Brislane, CEO Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) said:
"Over 4,000 Australians die each year from historical exposure to asbestos so we must be vigilant about the risk of asbestos and take precautions when it is detected in the workplace or the home.
"ADDRI supports patients and families affected by asbestos-related diseases every day, giving us a clear understanding of the devastating impact of asbestos exposure. That's why we strongly support action to better protect workers and the broader community from this preventable risk.
"This suite of measures from the NSW Government will help raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos, reduce current and future exposure, and crucially, prevent more people in NSW from developing asbestos-related diseases."
Secretary of the United Services Union NSW, Graeme Kelly OAM, said:
"Illegal dumping of asbestos is a scourge - it harms the community, the environment and workers who have to handle dangerous waste when cleaning it up. Offering free asbestos disposal will make a huge difference in fixing this problem.
"Importantly, this asbestos package is taking sensible steps across the entire waste supply chain. It's making sure workers will have the training and testing they need to identify and handle asbestos waste safely and dispose of it correctly."
Gayle Sloane, CEO of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia said:
"WMRR welcomes the NSW Asbestos Plan of Action, it's an important step towards a stronger, nationally consistent approach to asbestos management.
"Sharing responsibility across the entire supply chain, improving identification and strengthening controls will reduce risk, support the recovery of high-quality materials and give the community confidence that they can trust the system is working as it should."
Brett Lemin, Executive Director of the Waste Contractors and Recyclers NSW, said:
"This set of reforms has been more than 20 years in the making.
"WCRA welcomes a stronger, practical framework across the whole supply chain that will improve safety, provide greater certainty for industry and deliver better outcomes for the community."
