Hazardous Waste Materials
Asbestos Waste
Asbestos can be found in any building built prior to the year 2000. It was widely used during the 1970s and 1980s to build houses and premises. Asbestos only poses a health risk if you plan to disturb it.
You should never carry out major building, maintenance or demolition work on materials you know or suspect to contain asbestos. You should contact a licensed contractor who can arrange to get the asbestos removed for you.
If you only plan to carry out minor work on asbestos containing materials, such as drilling holes for fixtures and fittings, repainting a ceiling or applying new plasterboard, you can do so provided that you’re appropriately trained and know how to assess the risks and work safely.
How to dispose of Asbestos
Only Bonded Asbestos (generally corrugated roofing sheets) can be disposed of at Bossack Recycling Centre, Tankerness. All Bonded Asbestos MUST be double wrapped securely in 1000-gauge plastic sheeting or placed in sealed bags of the same gauge. All packages or bags of asbestos should be to such a size and weight that they can be easily handled by yourselves. Any other packaging may result in the load being rejected from site for Health and Safety reasons to protect our staff, the shipping agent and end disposer.
Other types of asbestos which pose a greater health risk will not be accepted by Orkney Islands Council and should only be handled and disposed of via a Specialist Contractor.
Householders can transport a small amount of hazardous waste i.e., car boot full, emanating from DIY projects etc themselves without a special waste consignment note.
Larger quantities (Approximately over six sheets) will only be accepted at Bossack Recycling Centre if they are pre-booked with us. Larger loads also require to be accompanied by a special waste consignment note available for purchase by contacting the Scottish Environmental Protection agency.
Currently (As of December 2021) Orkney Aggregates, a local professional waste carrier, can provide a service to collect Cement Bonded Asbestos at cost.
Commercial producers (Builders) can either use a local professional Haulier or register for an account at Bossack. They must also contact Chinglebraes 01856 871547 a minimum of 24 hours before transporting to Bossack to ensure that the load can be accepted and handled there to avoid excessive movement of the Asbestos
Chemical Waste
Small quantities of hazardous waste (e.g. Roundup products) from households can be disposed of at Bossack Recycling Centre free of charge. Please report to the site operatives on arrival who will ensure the chemicals are stored in the appropriate chemical cabinet.
Clinical Waste Disposal
Orkney Islands Council only handles low grade clinical waste (e.g. from Council care homes).
The Council do not handle or provide a collection service for high grade clinical waste. This type of waste is mainly produced by NHS outpatients who receive treatment for:
- Infectious human or animal tissue.
- Infectious blood or other bodily fluids.
- Infectious swabs or dressings.
- Any waste classed as infectious.
Low grade category E clinical waste is to be double bagged and placed within the general refuse for disposal. Including waste such as:
- Empty bedpans.
- Incontinence pads.
- Empty stoma bags.
- Empty urine containers.
- Non-infectious swabs or dressings.
- Other waste classed as non-infectious.
There is no provision for the collection of clinical waste from commercial premises in Orkney at present. Please contact the Balfour Hospital Estates team on 01856888006 to arrange collection.
