Comox Strathcona Waste Management

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was used extensively in the construction industry from the 1950s to the 1990s because of its high strength and resistance to heat, fire and chemical damage. It is found in over 3000 products including spray applied fireproofing, mechanical insulation, vermiculite, linoleum, floor tiles, drywall taping compound and a variety of other materials. Because it's found in so many common building products, it can be a danger hiding in plain sight in many homes.

When asbestos is disturbed during a demo or reno, it becomes a danger to everyone working on your property. Inhalation of asbestos contaminated air is a major health risk and can lead to serious and chronic health problems such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening. From 2006 to 2015, 584 workers died in B.C. from diseases related to asbestos exposure, and more than 400 workers reported being exposed to asbestos in 2015. For information on Mesothelioma and the risks of do it yourself asbestos removal, please visit www.asbestos.com.

Asbestos should only be removed by a qualified professional. To contact a professional for testing, abatement, removal or disposal of asbestos containing materials please click here.

How is Asbestos Detected?

Steps to Take Before Renovation or Constructions

You can prevent asbestos exposure by knowing if your property is at risk for asbestos and making sure that asbestos-containing materials are properly identified and removed before anyone starts work on your reno or demo.

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation contains legal requirements that must be met by all workplaces under the jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC. Part 20.112 of this regulation requires that all hazardous materials found to be in the way of planned work, including asbestos, be identified prior to the commencement of construction and / or renovation work. These hazardous materials must be either safely contained or removed by a qualified contractor employing WorkSafeBC approved procedures. See information regarding Part 20.112 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

For more information on the health effects of asbestos exposure please visit https://www.asbestos.com/

CSWM Hazardous Materials Declaration

Commercial and Residential Disposal of Asbestos

Commercial Customers

The Campbell River and Comox Valley Waste Management Centres no longer accept commercial materials containing asbestos. For disposal of commercial materials containing asbestos please contact Northwin landfill at 250-202-8644 or visit www.northwinenv.com.

Commercial materials containing asbestos are those delivered to the landfill by someone other than the homeowner, such as an individual or company that receives compensation for its removal or transportation.

Asbestos containing materials (ACM) that contain 0.5 per cent or more asbestos by weight at time of manufacture, or any vermiculite insulation containing asbestos, must be properly contained and disposed of at an approved facility according to WorkSafeBC’s Occupation Health and Safety Regulation.

Residential Customers

What you need to know to dispose of residential materials containing asbestos in the Comox Strathcona Waste Management area:

Asbestos disposal bags meeting Worksafe BC standards are available for purchase at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre and the Campbell River Waste Management Centre at a cost of $2 per bag ($2.25 including tax each). Residents must seal asbestos containing materials (ACM) in these bags prior to bringing it to a facility for disposal.
Should you wish to purchase these bags, please familiarize yourself with the asbestos safety brochure and information sheet provided to you at the time of your purchase.
Please submit your Asbestos Disposal Application Form and analytical test results to cswm@comoxvalleyrd.ca for approval prior to disposing of asbestos waste at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre . Residents with 9 bags or less of ACM can dispose of their bagged waste by bringing an approved application form and test results by appointment only, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), to the Campbell River Waste Management Centre at 6700 Argonaut Rd.
The Campbell River Waste Management Centre no longer accepts 10 bags or more of ACM. For disposal, please contact Northwin Landfill at 250-202-8644
Please contact us at cswm@comoxvalleyrd.ca or 250-334-6016 with any questions.

Asbestos is a health hazard and if you are unsure if a material contains asbestos, it is best to contact your contractor or a local laboratory who can conduct a test to confirm (a list of labs is provided below). In general, houses constructed before 1990 likely contain asbestos. For examples of materials that contain asbestos, visit WorkSafe BC's website.

For more information on asbestos transport and containment requirements, visit the Ministry of Environment's (MoE) links:

For information on the health risks associated with this material, visit:

Worksafe BC's website