Garbage, Organics & Recycling

Hazardous & Controlled Waste

Protect yourself and your family, workers and the environment from hazardous household materials and controlled waste by handling and disposing of it in the proper manner. The following resources will help you learn how to reduce the risks:

Asbestos Disposal
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Contaminated Soil Disposal
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Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
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Asbestos Disposal

What is Asbestos and Why is it a Problem?
Asbestos is a mineral fibre that was used in thousands of building products until the 1990s. Valued because of its insulating, soundproofing and fire-resistant properties, it can be found throughout older homes and buildings in flooring, ceiling tiles, siding, drywall, roof shingles and much more. When left undisturbed it poses little risk, but if disturbed through damage, removal or renovation, asbestos fibres can be released into the air and inhaled. Exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and a range of serious lung related diseases. Plan ahead and protect yourself.

Have a Plan
Before undertaking any renovation or demolition, check whether a building or demolition permit is required. If so, you will need to complete a risk assessment, to create a plan for identifying and disposing of asbestos-containing material.

Get it Tested
Ensure that your project is done properly and safely. Hire a qualified professional to evaluate your home for the presence of asbestos or other hazardous materials. Check the Yellow Pages or internet, or give us a call for a list of companies that provide asbestos testing and removal in your area.

Reduce the Risk
It is highly recommended that you hire a qualified asbestos abatement contractor to undertake the safe removal of asbestos-containing material from your home. If you are undertaking the removal yourself, the use of suitable personal protective equipment is essential in controlling exposure.

Know what the hazards are. Learn how to protect yourself, your family and our landfill workers at www.thinkasbestos.ca

Asbestos Disposal Process

Unless properly tested and documented, any potential asbestos-containing materials from a building constructed prior to 1990 will be assumed to contain asbestos and must be disposed of in the following manner:

  1. Asbestos must be properly contained. All asbestos-containing materials must be double-bagged in yellow 6-mil poly bags, taped shut and clearly marked as hazardous waste/asbestos fibres.
  2. Call 48 hours ahead. Contact the RDKB landfill where you plan to take the asbestos-containing waste at least 48 hours in advance. This allows landfill staff to prepare a trench into which the material can be safely buried. Asbestos-containing materials are only accepted at the following RDKB landfill sites:
    McKelvey Creek Landfill (Trail) 250.364.9834
    Grand Forks Landfill 250.442.2734
    West Boundary Landfill (Greenwood) 250.442.2734
  3. Arrive at your appointed time. Staff will direct you to where to place the bags. Tipping fees apply.

Potential Sources of Asbestos

Note: this is not a complete list. Asbestos can be found in thousands of building materials.

  • Insulation (paper backed, rock wool and blown-in)
  • Vermiculite
  • Acoustic ceiling tiles
  • Vinyl and linoleum tiles and sheet flooring 
  • Flooring adhesive
  • Cement-board siding
  • Roof felt and shingles
  • Stucco
  • Pipe insulation
  • Textured or stipple-coated walls and ceilings
  • Backing behind recessed lighting
  • Artificial fireplace logs
  • Drywall mudding compound
  • Fibreboard
  • Roof gutters and soffit boards
  • Heat reflectors for wood stoves
  • Boiler and furnace insulation
  • Outlets and switches

Tipping Fees

For the purposes of determining tipping fees, all asbestos-containing waste material brought to an RDKB landfill will be considered ‘friable’. A list of current tipping fees is available online at rdkb.com or from any RDKB landfill site.

Where to Get Bags

The RDKB will provide up to ten 6 mil poly bags for each homeowner who takes out a building permit for work involving the removal of asbestos-containing material. Stop by the RDKB office in Grand Forks or Trail to chat with a building inspector about your project.

Additional bags can be purchased at local building and safety supply stores. These bags MUST be yellow so that our workers can clearly identify them. 

All construction and demolition waste is subject to tipping fees. Please sort your materials before arriving at the landfill.

Plan ahead. Protect yourself. Learn more at www.thinkasbestos.ca.

Download a printable copy of the Asbestos Disposal Guidelines