The Comox Valley Waste Management Centre is currently not accepting renovation drywall due to the illegal disposal of drywall containing asbestos at the facility. Regular service levels are anticipated to resume Friday, April 24.
In order to ensure the safety of residents and staff the impacted area is required to be remediated by a certified asbestos abatement company.
“The illegal disposal of asbestos poses a serious health risk to the public and especially to our staff,” said Jesse Lee, Manager of Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) Operations. “Occupational disease is the single leading cause of workplace injuries and diseases in BC, taking 79 lives, 36 of them due to an asbestos-related illness.”
Instances of illegal disposal of asbestos are investigated and prosecuted. The unlawful disposal of waste carries a fine of $500 (Bylaw 720). In addition, perpetrators are responsible for the cost of the clean up which can cost thousands of dollars and must be completed by a certified asbestos abatement company with proper transportation and disposal of the asbestos containing materials at a licensed facility and any cost of the service disruption at the affected facility.
The Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland, does not accept residential asbestos containing materials.
The Campbell River Waste Management Centre accepts residential asbestos disposal. The CSWM encourages anyone who is undertaking a home renovation to familiarize themselves with the risks of asbestos exposure as well as the regulations on proper disposal. This information is available on the CSWM website, cswm.ca/asbestos.
For disposal of commercial materials containing asbestos please contact Northwin landfill at 250-202-8644 or visit www.northwinenv.com.
The Comox Strathcona Waste Management service area is located in the Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Nuu-chah-nulth territories.
Comox Strathcona Waste Management manages over 100,000 tonnes of waste and recycled material annually and oversees a number of diversion and education programs for the Strathcona and Comox Valley Regional Districts.
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Media contact:
Jesse Lee
Manager of CSWM Operations
250-898-3717