The Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service is making a change to its service delivery, due to the recent increase in the illegal disposal of drywall containing asbestos at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre.

Moving forward, for about one week each month, renovation drywall will not be accepted at the 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. Residents are asked to check the website before making a trip to the landfill if they 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.”

CSWM says instances of illegal disposal of asbestos are investigated and prosecuted. Illegal disposal can come with a $500 fine, as well as the cost of the cleanup, transportation, disposal and any cost of the service disruption at the affected facility, which typically run in thousands of dollars.