For licensed asbestos removalists, demolition crews and remediation contractors, the disposal bag is not an accessory. It is a controlled consumable that has to hold up from the work zone through to the disposal facility without failing. Get the spec right and the waste stays contained and identifiable. Get it wrong and you have a containment failure on a job where that is not an option.
This guide covers what makes an asbestos disposal bag fit for the job: the 200 micron standard, the sizes on offer, the warning print, and how to buy in bulk. Plastpack (formerly Churchill & Coombes) manufactures asbestos disposal bags in Australia, extruding the film and forming the bags in-house, so the detail here comes from making the product. It covers the bag, not the removal procedure, which is a regulated process addressed further down.
What are asbestos disposal bags?
Asbestos disposal bags, also called asbestos waste bags or asbestos removal bags, are heavy-duty polyethylene bags used to contain, package and transport asbestos and asbestos-containing material (ACM) for disposal. They are made from thick, tear-resistant film and printed with an asbestos warning so the contents are identifiable at every stage from the site to the licensed disposal facility.
They are a trade consumable, bought by licensed asbestos removalists and remediation contractors rather than a general-purpose bag. The two things that define a fit-for-purpose bag are the film thickness and the printed warning, both covered below.
Why 200 microns is the standard
The accepted standard for asbestos disposal bags in Australia is 200 micron (0.2mm) polyethylene. That gauge is not arbitrary. Asbestos waste often includes bonded sheet offcuts, fibro fragments and other material with hard or sharp edges that will cut through a thinner bag. At 200 micron the film has the puncture and tear resistance needed to keep fibres contained through filling, handling, transport and disposal.
A standard poly bag or a light industrial liner does not meet this requirement. When you are sourcing asbestos bags, the 200 micron specification is the first thing to confirm, because a bag that splits defeats the entire point of containment. Plastpack manufactures its asbestos bags to the 200 micron standard, made to meet the applicable Australian requirements for asbestos waste bags.
Asbestos bag sizes
Asbestos disposal bags are commonly supplied in three working sizes, and the right one comes down to the type and volume of waste. These are the typical sizes on the market:
Small (around 600 x 900mm) suits contaminated PPE, disposable coveralls, rags, offcuts and loose debris. It is easy to fill, seal and carry without the manual handling risk of an overloaded larger bag.
Medium (around 700 x 1100mm) is the everyday working size on most jobs, big enough for bonded sheet offcuts, fibro fragments, insulation debris and used PPE while still practical to lift.
Large (around 900 x 1200mm) takes higher-volume waste and larger sheeting, and gives the room needed where double-bagging is required. Larger formats are again available for bulk waste.
As the manufacturer, Plastpack can also produce asbestos bags in a custom size when a standard size does not fit the waste stream on a particular job. Match the size to the waste so bags are neither overloaded nor wasteful, and order a spread of sizes if your jobs vary.
Labelling and printing requirements
An asbestos disposal bag has to carry a clear asbestos warning so the contents are identifiable on site, in transit and at the disposal facility. The warning print is what separates a compliant asbestos bag from a plain heavy-duty bag of the same thickness. Plastpack asbestos bags are printed with the required asbestos warning as standard.
Because we print in-house, we can also add custom detail to the bag, such as your company name, contact details or additional handling text, alongside the mandatory warning. If you want branded or job-specific print on your asbestos bags, our custom printed bags capability covers it, with the warning print kept intact.
Compliance and safe handling
Asbestos disposal bags are used within a tightly regulated process. In Australia, Work Health and Safety legislation and the relevant Code of Practice govern the removal, handling, transport, and disposal of asbestos, and requirements vary by state and territory. Much asbestos removal work must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist, and asbestos waste must be taken to a facility licensed to accept it.
Using a correctly specified bag is part of meeting those requirements, but it does not replace them. This article covers the product, not the procedure. For how asbestos must be handled, removed, packaged and disposed of, follow the current WHS regulations, the applicable Code of Practice and your state or territory regulator, and engage a licensed asbestos removalist where the work calls for one.
How to buy asbestos disposal bags in bulk
For removalists and contractors going through bags at volume, ordering direct from the manufacturer keeps the supply consistent and the spec correct on every carton. We supply asbestos disposal bags in bulk across Australia, in cartons and rolls to suit the job, and because we hold around 50 tonnes of film on site, the material for most orders is already here, which keeps lead times short. For crews ordering regularly, we can keep your size and print on file so reordering is a phone call.
Asbestos bags sit alongside our wider industrial bags range, so contractors can source related site consumables such as builders film, drum liners and heavy-duty waste bags in the same order. If you are setting up a regular bulk supply, our guide on buying plastic bags wholesale covers how to lock it in.
To order asbestos disposal bags or set up a bulk account, contact the Plastpack team with the sizes, quantities and print you need, and we will sort the supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness should an asbestos disposal bag be?
The accepted standard in Australia is 200 micron (0.2mm) polyethylene. That gauge gives the puncture and tear resistance needed to keep asbestos fibres contained through handling, transport and disposal. A standard poly bag or light liner does not meet this requirement.
What sizes do asbestos bags come in?
They are commonly supplied in small (around 600 x 900mm) for PPE and loose debris, medium (around 700 x 1100mm) as the everyday job size, and large (around 900 x 1200mm) for higher-volume waste and sheeting. Custom sizes can be made to order.
Where can I buy asbestos bags in Australia?
Plastpack manufactures and supplies asbestos disposal bags in bulk across Australia, in cartons and rolls, direct from the maker. Contact us with your sizes, quantities and delivery location to arrange supply.
Do asbestos bags need a printed warning?
Yes. Asbestos disposal bags must carry a clear asbestos warning so the contents are identifiable on site, in transit and at the disposal facility. Plastpack bags are printed with the required warning, and custom company details can be added alongside it.
Can I buy asbestos disposal bags in bulk or in custom sizes?
Yes. We supply asbestos bags in bulk cartons and rolls, and as the manufacturer, we produce custom sizes and print to order, with film held on site to keep lead times short.