Australians are urged to think twice about asbestos disposal this National Asbestos Week (21-27 November 2022) as the Australian government launches the Think Twice About Asbestos campaign.

The campaign aims to remind 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.

Contributing to this, is the estimated 6,000 tonnes of asbestos that are illegally disposed in Australia every year. These actions put communities at risk and cost around $11.2 million yearly to remediate.

A survey of 1,506 home improvers commissioned by the Asbestos Safety Eradication Agency in 2021 revealed 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.

The illegal disposal of asbestos from smaller-scale domestic construction and demolition puts people at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

“Asbestos causes cancer and if not disposed of properly, it puts workers, and the community’s health at risk. It is an issue that has serious and far-reaching consequences, costing taxpayers millions each year in environmental remediation and long-term health costs,” Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency chief executive Justine Ross says.

“This is why we are asking all Australians to do things the right way when it comes to asbestos disposal.”

Across Australia, asbestos is in one-in-three homes as well as public and commercial buildings.

“The people at greatest risk of exposure are those that work on older buildings and infrastructure where asbestos-containing materials are present,” Justine says.

“However, asbestos can also be found in unexpected places such as in the household garden, garage or storage areas. Disposing of it responsibly, no matter how small the amount, is the right thing to do.”

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