Proper management of construction or demolition waste is not a job for everyone. It involves a number of procedures that require professional expertise, and the use of advanced machinery & equipment. Moreover, some of the waste may contain hazardous materials, which may cause grievous harm if not handled properly. To avoid causing damage to the environment and attracting fines from state authorities, it is always a wise idea to enlist professional removal services.
Related: What You Need to Know About Construction and Demolition Waste in NSW
Here are 10 types of hazardous construction waste that requires professional removal.
1) Asbestos
Raw and processed asbestos is commonly used for roofing, coatings, drywall, flooring and other construction applications. However, what most people do not know is that this material is highly hazardous. For this reason, handling waste that contains asbestos is best left to the experts.
2) Mercury
Mercury is a metallic element used in making household components such as switches, air conditioners, fluorescent lamps, and smoke detectors. However, various environmental agencies list mercury as a hazardous element. Essentially, a spill of this element may not only attract penalties from the authorities but also put your health at risk. For these reasons, it is essential to hire a reputable waste removal service to identify and dispose of mercury waste efficiently.
3) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
The use of PCB in buildings has been banned for the past 4 decades due to its hazardous properties. However, older buildings still contain this synthetic chemical, as it makes a perfect insulator and waterproofing material for windows, vents, doors and hydraulic equipment. Nevertheless, its hazardous properties cannot be overlooked, hence the reason why it requires professional disposal.
4) Lamps and HID Bulbs
Lamps and bulbs might seem harmless at first, but the truth is that they may contain toxic metals and hazardous substances such as lead, arsenic and mercury. For this reason, lamps and light bulbs must be handled with caution during a construction or demolition project, preferably by an expert in waste removal.
5) Lead-based Coatings & Materials
Lead is another element considered hazardous. The material is contained in lead-based paints, varnishes, putty, security systems and pipes. The fact that lead-containing materials do not require an inspection during disposal makes them potentially harmful. For this reason, it is important to enlist a professional removal service to neutralise the risk and handle the waste safely.
6) Electronic Waste
Old or damaged electrical appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators consist of components that release chlorofluorocarbons and other substances harmful to the ozone layer. These components may only be handled by a licensed technician or a certified construction waste removal company.
7) Used Batteries
The disposal of used batteries might seem like a routine activity, but unfortunately, it is not. Batteries contain a wide range of potentially dangerous elements such as lead, silver, cadmium and mercury. For this reason, used batteries are often managed as hazardous waste and they should be disposed of professionally.
8) Aerosol Cans
The disposal of aerosol cans must only be done by a waste removal expert, under the coordination of the relevant environment health and safety agency in your area. This is because aerosol cans contain harmful chemical remnants that may contaminate water bodies and the environment.
9) Ionising Radiation Sources
Radiation-generating equipment such as smoke detectors, CT scanners and x-ray sets must be disposed of properly if they cannot be recovered or preserved professionally. This is because they contain radioactive components that may cause acute and chronic health effects such as skin burns and some types of cancers.
10) Solvent Waste
Solvent waste includes liquids such as thinners, degreasers, adhesive removers, cleaners, and fuel additives. These liquids are quite useful in a construction site, but they also contain elements that may be considered as hazardous. In case of spillage, dealing with solvent waste may not be easy as you require special machinery to collect and dispose of the liquids safely.
Enlist a Professional Construction Waste Removal Company
It is evident that the removal of hazardous construction waste is a daunting task. Moreover, the process of identifying, sorting, accumulating and disposing of these hazardous materials is a job that requires a high level of professional skills. Based on these facts, it makes more sense to outsource the job to specialists than doing it yourself. This is where Paul’s Rubbish Removal comes in handy.
We are a certified and insured rubbish removal service with vast experience in dealing with hazardous waste. We specialise in collecting and removing all types of waste and unwanted material across Sydney. We offer same-day services to quickly and conveniently arrive at your site and hand load your rubbish onto our trucks.
Call Paul today for a free quotation for all your rubbish removal needs on 0407 125 125!
