Due to the recent increase in the illegal disposal of drywall containing asbestos at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre, the Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) Service is making a change to its service delivery. Moving forward, for approximately one week each month, renovation drywall will not be accepted at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre while required asbestos testing is conducted.
The Comox Valley Waste Management Centre will not be accepting renovation drywall from Monday, October 27 to Friday, October 31 so that required asbestos testing can occur.
Future testing dates will be posted on the CSWM website, cswm.ca/drywall. Please check the website before making a trip to the landfill if you are disposing of renovation drywall. New drywall offcuts will always be accepted.
“Making this change was not an easy decision,” said Vivian Schau, Senior Manager of CSWM Services. “We want to provide convenient service for the public, but safety of staff and the public is our priority. When asbestos contaminated drywall is found at one of our facilities, we have a responsibility to remediate it. If you are undertaking a renovation in a home which pre-dates 1990, please have your drywall tested prior to beginning work.”
Instances of illegal disposal of asbestos are investigated and prosecuted. The unlawful disposal of waste carries significant consequences, including a fine of $500 (Bylaw 720), as well as the cost of the cleanup, transportation, disposal and any cost of the service disruption at the affected facility. These costs are typically thousands of dollars.
During the renovation drywall suspension at Comox Valley Waste Management Centre:
- For residents, renovation drywall can be taken to the Campbell River Waste Management Centre for disposal.
- Contractors and for commercial quantities please contact Northwin landfill at 250-202-8644 or visit www.northwinenv.com.
The CSWM encourages anyone who is undertaking a home renovation (especially for homes which pre-date 1990) 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.
CSWM is working on solutions at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre to ensure a quick return to service levels and will share updates and timelines when they are known. We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.
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:
Vivian Schau
Senior Manager of CSWM Services
250-334-6025