How is asbestos disposed of?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in many building materials until the 1980s. Breathing its fibers can cause serious lung disease, so it has strict handling and disposal rules. Only some landfills accept it, usually by appointment and only if it is wetted and sealed in special packaging. In most cases the safest choice is to hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.
Common examples
- Old vinyl floor tiles and the glue under them
- Popcorn ceilings and textured walls
- Pipe and boiler insulation
- Cement siding and roofing shingles
- Vermiculite attic insulation
Usually not included
- Asbestos is never accepted loose or mixed into regular trash or construction debris
- Many landfills don't accept it at all
How to prepare your load
- If you think something contains asbestos, don't sand, cut, scrape or break it.
- Get it tested by an accredited lab before any remodeling.
- Call the landfill before you go. Most require an appointment, paperwork, and material that is wetted and double-bagged in labeled plastic.
- Check your state's rules. Many require a licensed contractor for removal.
What it usually costs
Usually charged at a special rate, often with a minimum fee and an appointment. Professional removal costs extra but is the safe route.
Rules and prices vary by site. Check the page for the dump you plan to use, and call before you go.
Common questions
Can I take asbestos to the dump?
Only to landfills permitted for it, usually by appointment and properly packaged. Call first, and never mix it with regular debris.
What is non-friable asbestos?
Asbestos that is bound into a solid material, like intact floor tiles or cement siding, and won't crumble by hand. It is less likely to release fibers than friable asbestos, but it still has disposal rules.
Verified sites that accept asbestos
Sites we've checked against official sources. Always confirm before you go.
| Facility | Location |
|---|---|
| Coffee County Sanitary Landfill | Elba, AL |
| Three Corners Landfill | Piedmont, AL |
| L & D Landfill Company | Sacramento, CA |
| Cherry Island Landfill | Wilmington, DE |
| Pine Bluff Landfill | Ball Ground, GA |
| Pickles Butte SLF | Nampa, ID |
| Liberty Landfill | Monticello, IN |
| Woodland Meadows Landfill | Wayne, MI |
| Billings City Landfill | Billings, MT |
| Missoula Landfill | Missoula, MT |
| Dane County LF #2-Rodefeld | Madison, WI |