Asbestos dumping fees
Customers are responsible for items left at transfer stations and may be fined or incur cost of asbestos testing and removal if dumped. Fees can exceed $3000.
Frequently asked questions
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality requires Metro to screen for, and prevent the acceptance of, asbestos in materials brought to Metro Central and Metro South transfer stations. To ensure the safety of our customers and the public, Metro requires paperwork for all loads of construction, remodeling or demolition waste for materials that may contain asbestos.
Loads of construction, remodeling and demolition debris brought to Metro transfer stations will be thoroughly screened for materials that may contain asbestos. Here are some steps you can take to prepare your load of construction waste for delivery to a Metro transfer station:
- Use an accredited asbestos inspector to survey your project for materials that may contain asbestos.
- Have any suspect materials tested by an analytical laboratory.
- Fill out a Construction and demolition waste acceptance form.
- Bring test results with your load to a Metro transfer station to show it contains 1 percent or less asbestos by weight.
Test results must be printed out. Electronic copies are not accepted.
Analytical test results certifying all tested sample results contain 1 percent or less asbestos by weight are required for the following items:
- Interior walls and ceilings: acoustical tiles, glue dots, plaster, and textured surfaces
- Exterior walls: cement siding, stucco
- Flooring: vinyl tiles, sheet vinyl, some mastic adhesives
- Insulation/fireproofing: block, boiler, spray-applied, vermiculite, monokote, sink undercoating, thermal system insulation (fiberglass, cellulose, and mineral wool are exempt)
- Gaskets: furnace, mechanical, boiler, wood stove (automotive gaskets are exempt)
- Heating: white paper or seam tape on ducts, air-duct cement and insulation
- Roofing materials: tar paper, felt, silver/white roofing paint, Nicolite paper
- Fire doors, fire/kiln brick and fireproofing
- Various compounds: window glazing, adhesives, caulks, patching, mastics, vapor barrier products (plastic or synthetic materials such as Tyvek are exempt)
- Electrical: switch gear, circuit boxes and fuse panels; wiring with cloth insulation (Romex wiring is exempt)
Metro reserves the right to request analytical test results for other materials not listed above.
Materials from new structures built in 2004 and later: Materials listed here that come from a structure or an RV built in or after 2004 do not need to be tested for asbestos.
Please note: Flat/built-up roofing is not accepted, even if customers present negative analytical test results.
Documentation required
Customers who bring these materials to Metro Central or Metro South transfer stations must certify that their loads of construction, remodeling and demolition debris are asbestos-free. To do this, complete a Construction and Demolition Waste Acceptance form.
Documentation must be presented to the bay spotter for review prior to opening the drop‐box or truck doors. Documentation must be recent; items will not be accepted if the test results are older than two years for DIY projects, or older than three years for contractors managing large construction projects. Documentation must be printed out. Electronic documents are not sufficient. The load will be inspected by the spotter to make sure it matches the description of materials on the Construction and Demolition Waste Acceptance form. Metro will retain a copy of the acceptance form and test results for its records. Customers who do not comply with the procedures may be charged testing and clean-up fees.
Where to take waste that contains asbestos
Residential (non-commercial) customers may bring limited amounts of asbestos-containing materials to a Metro household hazardous waste facility. The materials must be delivered in no more than two sealed 25-pound double-lined 6 mil asbestos bags and can be no more than 3 feet in length. The asbestos-containing materials must be bagged and sealed before they arrive at a Metro household hazardous waste facility. Metro accepts no more than two 25-pound bags per customer per day.
Residential customers with more than 50 pounds of asbestos-containing materials and all commercial customers can take their loads to a landfill permitted to accept asbestos for disposal. Two landfills close to the Portland area that can accept asbestos-containing waste are:
Loads must be properly and safely prepared before they are delivered to the landfill. Please call the landfill in advance of your delivery for details, hours of operation and pricing.
More information about asbestos
Find information about how to identify asbestos and protect yourself, your family and neighbors from it, along with lists of analytical laboratories and licensed asbestos abatement contractors, from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality website or call 503-229-5982.