Drywall Recycling and Disposal Services

How Do You Get Rid of Drywall?

Disposing of drywall can be a tricky situation, particularly if it is being removed from older buildings. Up until the early 1970s, asbestos was a component of nearly all drywall, with asbestos fibres added to drywall materials to make them lighter and more fire-resistant. Because of the risks involved in dealing with asbestos, drywall needs to be removed carefully and there are guidelines for its disposal.

If the drywall contains asbestos, you will need to contact an asbestos abatement company to avoid releasing the asbestos fibres into the air, where they could find their way into your lungs causing issues such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Removing this type of drywall can be done in different ways according to the location and type of material, as well as the safety concerns of the workers. Generally, the contractor will seal off the working area with plastic sheeting which is held in place by heavy tape and staples. The work area will be ventilated with the use of specialized equipment. The abatement company will remove the asbestos drywall and dispose of it in a secured, hazardous waste landfill, a municipal solid waste landfill, or another facility.

Assuming you have drywall to dispose of that doesn’t contain asbestos, it can be transported to a local landfill for disposal. If you have a large amount owing to a large renovation, you may wish to consider renting a bin for its disposal. Keep in mind that while asbestos-free drywall is not considered a hazardous material, it should be separated from your normal refuse owing to its gypsum content, which can cause problems if not disposed of properly. For example, if exposed to organic material in a landfill, microorganisms convert the sulfate in gypsum into hydrogen sulfide. This foul-smelling gas could potentially prove lethal.

For this reason, even though you may read or hear that you can add drywall to your compost bin, you should avoid doing so for the safety of yourself, your family, and your surroundings. Your best bet is to leave it to professionals who can safely remove it and see to its disposal.