Asbestos in older buildings and materials must be handled carefully to limit exposure. Disposal of asbestos is tricky and often means taking it to a designated landfill. Recycling asbestos may also be possible as researchers develop ways to safely reuse the materials intertwined with it.
Can You Recycle Asbestos?
The average person cannot recycle asbestos-containing materials. It isn’t as simple as putting a can in the recycling bin. Asbestos is harmful and dangerous. It must be handled by trained professionals.
While asbestos is traditionally disposed of, there are some ways to recycle it—not reuse it as asbestos but transform it into a safer material or reuse other materials the asbestos is embedded in. Some asbestos can be safely recycled into ceramics or glass.
Where Is Asbestos Today That Could Be Recycled?
Asbestos is no longer used to the extent it was in the past. However, it is still present in many materials and products. Most notably, asbestos is still present in many buildings constructed before the 1970s. These buildings were erected before the government enacted regulations restricting asbestos use.
It can still be found in roofing and flooring materials, siding, and insulation. On ships, asbestos was regularly used for insulation, gaskets, and other components. In vehicles, asbestos is used in clutches and brakes.
Because asbestos is harmful to health, workers, and homeowners must handle it safely. Rules limit how and where it may be used in new construction.
With so much harmful, dangerous asbestos lingering in older buildings, recycling options would help manage much of the risk and avoid filling landfills with it.
How Is Asbestos Normally Disposed of?
Because older buildings often contain asbestos, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed regulations for the disposal of materials and limits for asbestos air pollution:[1]
- For example, if a building is demolished, first, it must be inspected.
- Workers must report any asbestos to a state agency, which guides how professionals in asbestos abatement are trained and licensed.
- These professionals must tackle removing the material before further work can be done.
Is Asbestos Recycling Better Than Disposal?
Recycling any material is often considered better than dumping it in a landfill, but recycling hazardous materials is not always straightforward. These are some of the benefits that often make recycling a better option:
- Keeps asbestos out of landfills. Most asbestos is placed in landfills. However, this is not a simple matter either. Asbestos-containing materials must be wetted to prevent fibers from becoming airborne. Then it must be sealed and clearly labeled. Next, the material can only be taken to landfills licensed to handle asbestos.
- Lowers the risks of storing asbestos. Once it arrives at the landfill, asbestos is left in a particular area designated for asbestos only. The landfill has the responsibility to ensure there are no leaks or emissions from the asbestos over time. The landfill must also ensure the material does not get compacted. There is always a risk that asbestos will escape the landfill through natural disasters or improper storage, causing additional harm.
- Creates new products. Recycling any material has the benefit of creating something new and usable. Properly recycled asbestos can be turned into materials that can be used again safely.
There are many issues with disposing of asbestos at a landfill. Even when done according to the rules, it is not foolproof. There is always a possibility it could contaminate the surrounding soil, air, or water.
Recycling asbestos and asbestos-containing materials would save time and money. It would also provide a safer way to eliminate this harmful substance. As landfill space necessary for asbestos disposal fills, researchers must find new ways to recycle the material in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
How Can Asbestos Be Recycled?
With landfill space at a premium, researchers have developed at least one way to recycle asbestos removed from old buildings:[2]
- The process begins with a chemical reaction. While asbestos resists most chemical reactions, it will react with strong acids and bases.
- When asbestos material is removed from a building, it can be washed in a hot base solution followed by acid to dissolve the fibers.
- If this process is used on a metal pipe, for example, the metal pipe can then be reused or recycled.
- The solution of dissolved asbestos fibers can be melted and vitrified to create glass or ceramic material. The extremely high temperatures used in this process destroy the asbestos fibers.
- As glass or ceramics, asbestos no longer presents any danger. The material can be used or recycled.
A company in the Netherlands is using this process to turn old asbestos cement to create recycled, safe cement. The product can be reused in the construction industry.[3]
Other studies have tried different methods of abating and recycling asbestos safely, including techniques to change the structure of asbestos fibers.[4] While changing the fiber structure may not render them harmless, it does prevent them from becoming airborne.
Why Is Asbestos So Dangerous?
Asbestos is an abundant natural mineral that is easily mined from the earth. Although humans have long used this substance, it has only been used on a large scale in the last century. Because we better understand the impacts of asbestos on human health, this substance is used less frequently.
The danger of asbestos is its sharp, microscopic fibers. Once inhaled or ingested, these fibers can become lodged in tissues of the lungs, the lining of the lungs, and tissues of the chest cavity. Fibers may also end up in the abdomen and other areas.
Asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and other lung diseases, as well as the deadly and rare type of cancer known as mesothelioma. The most common form of mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs and chest.[5]
How to Remove Asbestos From Your Home
Asbestos in the home can be dangerous if it is disrupted by remodeling, repairs, natural disasters, or normal wear and tear. Many older homes still have asbestos materials. You do not have to remove it, but you might want to have it disposed of or recycled for peace of mind.
- Stay Away from the Asbestos Materials. Avoid contact with any material you think might contain asbestos. If it looks damaged at all, seal off the room where it is located and keep everyone out of that area until a professional can investigate.
- Contact an Asbestos Inspector for Testing. The next step in removing asbestos from your home is confirming that you have it. Do not rely on a home test or try to remove it yourself. Contact a trained, licensed asbestos professional.
- Contact an Asbestos Contractor for Removal. If you have confirmed asbestos and want to remove it, an abatement professional will do the work. Be aware that you might not have access to certain rooms or even the entire house during this process. Always check that contractors have the correct credentials and licensing for working with asbestos.
As recycling becomes a priority, recycling techniques for asbestos should become more widespread. Currently, most asbestos is sent to landfills. If you remove asbestos from your home, this is likely what will happen.
