Where to Get Rid of Asbestos Siding?
Where to get rid of asbestos siding? Disposing of exterior transite cement siding shingles requires locating a permitted solid waste landfill or transfer station authorized by state environmental protection agencies to accept non-friable asbestos waste. Because standard municipal recycling centers and curbside sanitation refuse mineral debris, property owners must coordinate with approved Subtitle D monofills under hazardous waste manifesting protocols.
Authorized Landfills and Dedicated Monofill Cells
Property owners dealing with removed transite shingles cannot simply drop materials off at standard municipal transfer stations. Under federal EPA NESHAP regulations (40 CFR 61.154) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), asbestos waste must be deposited exclusively at permitted municipal solid waste landfills equipped with a dedicated asbestos monofill disposal cell, or specialized Class I hazardous waste containment sites.
A monofill cell is an engineered, segregated landfill sector designed to isolate mineral fibers from organic decomposing garbage. When deliveries arrive, landfill heavy equipment operators inspect manifest paperwork, direct haulers to the designated cell, and place the wrapped packages into the trench. Facility operators must cover the delivered asbestos debris with at least six inches of compacted clean non-asbestos earth within twenty-four hours to prevent wind-borne erosion or mechanical puncture from surrounding earthmoving machinery.
| Disposal Facility Classification | Operator Category | Acceptance Eligibility | Standard Operating Intake Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal Solid Waste (Subtitle D) | County / Regional Waste Authority | Non-friable Category II siding | Prior appointment, residency proof, double-bagging |
| Commercial Hazmat Monofill | Private Waste Corporation (WM/Republic) | All friable & non-friable RACM | Pre-approved waste profile, DOT manifest, certified hauler |
| Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) | Local City Environmental Dept. | Small homeowner quantities only | Designated drop-off dates, volume caps (e.g. < 100 lbs) |
| Licensed Transfer Station | Permitted Regional Consolidator | Transite siding & floor tiles | Consolidates for long-haul rail/truck transit to monofills |
Packaging Standards: Double Six-Mil Poly and Labeling
Authorized disposal facilities maintain strict packaging criteria, rejecting any load that presents torn bags or uncontained debris. All removed siding shingles must be thoroughly wetted with surfactant-amended water prior to packaging. Workers must place intact shingles into two independent layers of heavy-duty, puncture-resistant six-mil polyethylene sheeting or pre-printed OSHA asbestos disposal bags.
For large whole-house siding projects, shingles are frequently stacked neatly onto wooden pallets, wrapped in heavy corrugated cardboard, and encased in multiple layers of heavy-duty six-mil shrink-wrap banded with steel or heavy polyester strapping. Every package or bag must bear an indelible OSHA DANGER warning label indicating that the material contains asbestos and causes cancer, along with generator identification tags detailing the property address of origin.
| Packaging Specification | Mandatory Standard | Prohibited Practice | Safety Justification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic Thickness | Double 6-mil polyethylene (0.012 in total) | Single 2-mil household contractor trash bags | Puncture resistance against sharp cement shingle edges |
| Moisture Content | Saturated surfactant amended water | Dry bagging or vacuum collection | Suppresses airborne dust if outer plastic is punctured |
| Closure Type | Airtight gooseneck duct tape seal | Twist-ties, zip ties, or loose knotting | Prevents air bursts during landfill compaction |
| Hazard Labeling | OSHA Danger warning + generator tag | Unmarked black or white plastic bags | Alerts landfill workers to handle with dedicated equipment |
Homeowners must never attempt to conceal broken siding inside regular household garbage cans. Municipal garbage trucks utilize high-pressure hydraulic compactors that crush bags instantly, spraying millions of microscopic fibers across residential streets and exposing municipal sanitation workers.
If your local county landfill does not accept asbestos from private residents, contact a licensed hazardous waste management hauler to schedule an on-site roll-off dumpster equipped with a heavy plastic liner and manifest service.
How to Safely Dispose of Asbestos Siding
Step-by-step roadmap for locating facilities and transporting asbestos siding.
Contact Regional Solid Waste Management Authority
Call your county public works or environmental department to locate the nearest permitted Subtitle D landfill accepting asbestos.
Schedule Landfill Intake Appointment and Waste Profile
Submit a waste characterization profile and book an authorized delivery time slot with the landfill scale-house.
Package Shingles in Saturated Double Six-Mil Poly
Mist shingles with surfactant water, stack carefully inside double six-mil poly bags or pallet shrink-wrap, and seal airtight.
Transport Under Waste Shipment Manifest
Haul sealed packages to the landfill under an official Waste Shipment Record, retaining your signed delivery receipt permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions (8 Questions Answered)
Q1: Can I take asbestos siding to my local dump?
Only if the dump holds a state environmental permit with a dedicated asbestos monofill cell; standard municipal transfer stations reject it.
Q2: What happens if I throw asbestos siding in a regular dumpster?
Throwing asbestos in regular dumpsters is illegal and can lead to heavy municipal fines, stop-work orders, and liability lawsuits.
Q3: How much does it cost to dispose of asbestos siding at a landfill?
Landfill tipping fees typically range between $75 and $200 per ton, plus administrative manifest and environmental processing fees.
Q4: Can I break asbestos shingles to fit them into bags?
No. Never break, snap, or hammer transite shingles; breaking them releases millions of microscopic, hazardous fibers into the air.
Q5: What is an Asbestos Waste Shipment Record (WSR)?
The WSR is an official EPA manifest tracking asbestos debris from the point of origin, through transport, to final landfill burial.
Q6: How do landfills bury asbestos siding safely?
Landfill operators place sealed packages into a dedicated trench and cover them daily with at least six inches of compacted non-asbestos earth.
Q7: Can a homeowner haul their own asbestos siding?
Many states allow homeowners to transport small quantities from their primary residence, provided packages are double-bagged and manifested.
Q8: Can asbestos cement siding be recycled?
No. Asbestos siding cannot be recycled or crushed into aggregate; it must be permanently entombed in certified landfills.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
Finding where to get rid of asbestos siding requires verifying permitted monofill locations, following double-bagging rules, and securing waste shipment manifests. By coordinating with county environmental agencies and utilizing authorized hazardous landfills, property owners dispose of exterior transite materials safely and legally.