Asbestos waste accumulates in Northern Jutland as homeowners rush to replace roofs

Many homeowners are currently busy replacing their old asbestos roofs, leading to a significant accumulation of asbestos waste. This trend is being felt by waste management companies across Northern Jutland, Mid and West Jutland, Zealand, and Bornholm. This year, they have received over 8,000 tons of asbestos waste, averaging about 900 tons per month, which equates to around 2,200 sheets daily, according to Finn Kjær, recycling manager at the waste company ARGO.

At Nordværk, which handles waste from six municipalities in Northern Jutland, there has been a 50% increase in asbestos waste this year compared to the same period last year. Department head Chenet Jensen notes that many homeowners seem eager to replace their roofs before the year ends, likely due to new legislation coming into effect on January 1. After this date, property owners must hire authorized contractors for roof replacement, prompting many to take action while they still can.

Similarly, ARGO, servicing nine municipalities in Zealand, has reported a 20% rise in asbestos waste in 2023. Jensen has highlighted challenges arising from the simultaneous removal of old asbestos roofs nationwide, particularly a shortage of specific large bags required for transporting the asbestos, with suppliers unable to keep pace with demand.

In contrast, in Mid and West Jutland, the waste company Nomi4s had already prepared earlier in the year by stockpiling these bags. While it’s unclear how many roofing projects will be completed by the year’s end, ARGO expects elevated asbestos waste levels to continue throughout the rest of the year, with a decline anticipated in 2024 as many roofs will have already been replaced.