Asbestos could be accepted at Chilliwack's Bailey landfill as early as April, giving homeowners and contractors an easier disposal option.
The decision is hoped to decrease the amount of construction waste being dumped in rural areas all around Chilliwack, from the shores of the Fraser River to the edges of Chilliwack Lake Road. Chilliwack city council gave the amendment of their solid waste collection bylaw three readings on Tuesday, and Mayor Sharon Gaetz thanked the environmental services department for their efforts.
As it stands, Bailey landfill does not accept any materials believed to contain the dangerous and common substance asbestos, although the landfills in Vancouver and Mission accept such products from addresses within their own areas. The only option for homeowners or contractors to properly dispose of asbestos containing materials is to have it transported to the nearest facility that accepts out of area materials, which is in Alberta.
But the changes don't mean asbestos materials can just be dumped at Bailey, either. Materials will still need to be tested by a specialist to determine whether or not they contain asbestos. Commonly, asbestos is found in items such as drywall tape or mud from pre-1990 construction. Drywall that is date-stamped after 1990, or material that has proper documentation will be accepted at Bailey, and an amount of money has been earmarked for training landfill staff on the new measures. Once the next few steps are finalized and a plan is in place to accept the asbestos materials, the guidelines will be clearly posted at the landfill and on the landfill website.
Materials will need to be transported with all the proper manifestos, according to provincial and federal regulations. They will need to be double bagged, goose-neck tied and sealed with duct tape in 6 ml poly bags, and labelled 'asbestos.'
The city is already working with their landfill operator Tervita Corporation, a health and safety consultant, the Ministry of Environment, and WorkSafe BC on the project. The estimated set up and training for staff will cost $26,200, with monthly maintenance costs of about $24,975.
Staff proposed limits to how much waste will be accepted, and in what form.
They would accept up to 10 bags per originating property, per day, at a rate of $20 per load up to 114kg, or $175 per metric tonne. There would also be a $500 surcharge, plus cost of abatement, for dumping asbestos waste as regular garbage.
Asbestos waste would be accepted from Chilliwack, Kent, Harrison Hot Springs, and Electoral Areas D, E, and H.
The proposed bylaw amendment also includes slight increases to the rate for non-asbestos gypsum, from $125 per metric tonne to $150 per metric tonne.
Coun. Sam Waddington asked staff what homeowners pay for testing, and the answer was around $25 to $100, depending on how quickly results are needed.
Coun. Chris Kloot asked if Mission landfill had been approached to see if they would be interested in taking this area's asbestos. Staff said they had been approached, and they are not interested.
Gaetz noted there are a number of unregulated landfills in the area who may appreciate receiving this same information, in the interest of sharing "best practices."
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