Special waste and suspected asbestos in a flat: who disposes of it?

Typical types of special waste found in a property are listed in Waste disposal in the Canton of Zurich. This article explains who may accept such waste, what applies to medicines and what to do if you suspect asbestos.

What counts as special waste

Special waste means waste designated as such in the list of waste under the Ordinance on Movements of Waste (VeVA) (Art. 3 VVEA). The City of Zurich gives household examples including paints and varnishes, solvents, aerosol cans, chemicals, acids and alkalis, cleaning products, batteries, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers and medicines.

Anyone handing over waste must first establish whether it is special waste (Art. 4 para. 1 VeVA). If in doubt, ask the collection point. Do not pour products from different containers together, as the Canton of Zurich warns that chemical reactions may occur.

Who may accept it

You may hand special waste only to collection points authorised to accept it (Art. 4 para. 2 VeVA). Waste disposal companies require a permit from the cantonal authority (Art. 8 para. 1 VeVA). According to the Federal Office for the Environment, the following may accept household special waste:

• authorised waste disposal companies, such as municipal collection points
• collection points designated by the authorities, for example for engine oil, cooking oil, fluorescent lamps or household batteries
• retailers, provided they sold the product at retail, such as specialist shops or pharmacies

The cantons arrange the separate collection of special waste from households (Art. 13 para. 2 of the Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste, VVEA). There are three options in the Canton of Zurich: retailers, the mobile special waste service and the cantonal Hagenholz collection point. Small quantities may be handed in free of charge at the mobile service and at Hagenholz up to a limit per person per year, while larger quantities incur a charge at Hagenholz. The limit may be exceeded during a property clearance. The canton publishes the current limit on zh.ch. In other cantons and municipalities, check the available local services.

Medicines

The City of Zurich classifies medicines as special waste and asks you to bring the complete packaging without unpacking anything. The Canton of Zurich states that retailers accept medicines, in some cases for a charge, and that the mobile special waste service also collects them. Ask the pharmacy in advance whether it charges a fee.

Suspected asbestos

This article does not explain how to remove asbestos. That work is for recognised specialist companies.

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) gives the following rule of thumb: various materials containing asbestos should be expected in buildings constructed before 1990. A broad ban on asbestos has applied in Switzerland since 1989. Examples given by the FOPH include sprayed asbestos, asbestos board behind radiators or beneath window sills, and lightweight boards containing asbestos on doors. Fibre-cement products are usually unproblematic if left intact.

The risk arises when the material is worked on: sanding, drilling, sawing or breaking it can release large quantities of asbestos. If there is a specific suspicion, a material analysis by a specialised laboratory is usually required. Suva states that remediation involving substantial fibre release may be carried out only by companies recognised by Suva. The remediation work must be reported at least 14 days before it begins.

The waste ordinance lists waste containing asbestos under its own waste code (Annex 1, code 4105). If it arises during construction work, the client must provide the building authority with information about its disposal where asbestos is to be expected (Art. 16 para. 1 VVEA).

For a clearance, this means that we stop work if we suspect asbestos and investigate. Only in such cases might one of our appointments be cancelled. In a rented property, inform the property management.

For an overview of how disposal works during a clearance: → Property clearance: What happens to the belongings?