How to Safely Dispose of Recalled Asbestos-Contaminated Play Sand: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you've purchased coloured play sand from major Australian retailers between 2020 and 2025, you need to read this carefully. A significant product recall affecting more than 250 schools and childcare centres across Australia and New Zealand has identified tremolite and chrysotile asbestos contamination in children's play sand sold through Kmart, Target, Officeworks, and Woolworths.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the proper disposal process, explain why correct handling matters, and help you access the right materials to safely manage this situation.

Understanding the Current Recall Situation

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued urgent recalls for several popular play sand products after routine testing detected tremolite asbestos fibres. 

Affected Products and Retailers

The recall encompasses multiple products sold across Australia's most trusted retailers:

Kadink Sand (1.3kg) - Sold at Kmart and Target between 2020-2025

Educational Colours Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) - Available at Officeworks and Woolworths during the same period

Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg) - Distributed through various retailers

Kmart-branded products including the 14-piece Sandcastle Building Set and Magic Sand sets in blue, green, and pink varieties

More than +70 schools have been closed across the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory alone, with affected sites spanning the entire country and extending into New Zealand, due to this unprecedented recall.

Current Health Risk Assessment

According to SafeWork authorities and the ACCC, the immediate health risk to individuals who have used these products remains low. However, this assessment comes with an important caveat: proper handling and disposal procedures must be followed to prevent any potential exposure to asbestos fibres.

The detection of tremolite asbestos requires a measured, careful response rather than panic. Official guidance emphasises that correct disposal procedures will effectively manage any risk.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

Asbestos becomes hazardous when its fibres become airborne and are subsequently inhaled. The risk isn't from simply having the contaminated sand in your possession, it's from disturbing it in ways that release microscopic fibres into the air.

The Danger of Improper Handling

Standard cleaning methods that you'd normally use for spilled sand can actually create the exact conditions that make asbestos dangerous. Sweeping, vacuuming, or shaking out contaminated sand can release fibres into the air where they remain suspended and breathable for extended periods.

This is precisely why regulators have issued specific guidance on containment and disposal. Following proper procedures is about preventing a manageable situation from becoming a health concern.

Long-term Health Considerations

Whilst the current risk is assessed as low, asbestos exposure carries well-documented long-term health implications. Tremolite asbestos, in particular, has been linked to serious respiratory conditions including asbestosis and mesothelioma when fibres are inhaled over time.

Proper disposal eliminates any ongoing risk to your household, workplace, or educational facility.

Step-by-Step Safe Disposal Process

SafeWork SA and the ACCC have provided clear guidance on how to handle recalled asbestos-contaminated products, such as the recalled play sand. Follow these steps carefully to ensure safe disposal.

Step 1: Stop Use Immediately

If you have any of the recalled products, cease use straight away. Do not allow children or anyone else to play with or handle the sand. Move the product to a secure location where it cannot be accidentally disturbed.

Step 2: Contain the Area

If sand has been spilled or is present outside its original packaging, contain the area without disturbing the material. Do not attempt to clean up using conventional methods. Mark the area to prevent foot traffic that might spread contamination.

Critical: Do not sweep, vacuum, or use compressed air to clean contaminated sand. These actions can make the asbestos fibres you are trying to contain become airborne.

Step 3: Use Appropriate Containment Materials and Personal Protective Equipment

Proper containment requires heavy-duty plastic bags that meet Globally Harmonised System (GHS) standards for asbestos disposal. Regular household bin liners are not suitable for this purpose.

You need bags manufactured from high-density polyethylene of at least 200 microns thickness, with properly welded seams and clear asbestos warning labels as required by Australian regulations.

Ensure your own safety by using PPE during asbestos removal. This includes: a respirator or a P2 rated face mask, disposable coveralls for your clothes and shoes to ensure no fibres are being carried around with you, gloves to avoid skin contact with the contaminated products and protective eyewear.

Step 4: Carefully Transfer Sand into Disposal Bags

Working slowly and deliberately to minimise dust creation, transfer the contaminated sand into your first disposal bag. If the sand is still in its original packaging, place the entire unopened package into the bag.

Fill bags to no more than half their capacity. This prevents overfilling that could stress the bag material and ensures you can properly seal the top without risk of tearing.

Step 5: Double-Bag for Added Safety

Once your first bag is filled to half capacity and sealed, place this entire bag inside a second GHS-compliant disposal bag. This double-bagging method is specifically recommended by SafeWork authorities as an additional safety measure.

Step 6: Seal Bags Securely

Use heavy-duty adhesive tape to create an airtight seal on both bags. Fold the top of each bag over several times before taping to create a secure closure. Ensure warning labels remain visible on the outer bag.

Step 7: Contact Your Local Council

Asbestos-contaminated materials cannot be placed in regular household waste bins. Contact your local council to identify approved hazardous waste disposal points in your area. Many councils have designated collection days or permanent drop-off facilities for asbestos materials.

Your council will provide specific guidance on local requirements, which may include additional paperwork or particular drop-off procedures.

What Not to Do During Disposal

Understanding what to avoid is just as important as knowing the correct procedures.

Never Use Regular Bins

Asbestos waste must never enter the regular waste stream. Placing contaminated materials in household or commercial bins puts waste management workers at risk and potentially spreads contamination.

Avoid Creating Dust

Any action that might create airborne dust should be avoided entirely. This includes shaking containers, pouring sand from height, or using fans or air movement near contaminated areas.

Don't Attempt to Wash or Decontaminate

Some people wonder if they can wash containers or toys that came into contact with the sand. The safest approach is to dispose of any items that have been in contact with the contaminated product, particularly if they're difficult to clean thoroughly without creating dust.

Never Flush or Pour Down Drains

Contaminated sand should never be flushed down toilets or washed down drains. This creates environmental contamination and doesn't eliminate the material properly.

Choosing the Right Asbestos Disposal Bags

Not all heavy-duty bags are created equal when it comes to asbestos disposal. You need bags specifically manufactured to meet GHS compliance standards for hazardous material containment.

Essential Bag Specifications

Proper asbestos disposal bags must meet several critical requirements. They should be manufactured from high-density polyethylene of at least 200 microns thickness, substantially heavier than standard bin liners. The seams must be properly welded rather than simply glued or heat-sealed, as this provides superior strength and prevents splitting under load.

Clear asbestos warning labels must be present, printed directly onto the bag material in compliance with Australian Standards. These labels serve the essential purpose of alerting anyone who handles the bag to its hazardous contents.

Selecting the Appropriate Size

The size you need depends on the quantity of contaminated material you're disposing of and whether you're managing a household situation or a larger commercial or educational facility cleanup.

For household disposal of a single or small number of products, compact sizes around 600mm x 900mm provide adequate capacity whilst remaining manageable to handle and transport.

Educational facilities, childcare centres, or anyone dealing with larger quantities may require medium sizes (700mm x 1100mm to 900mm x 1200mm) or large commercial sizes up to 1000mm x 1500mm.

Remember that bags should only be filled to half capacity, so select a size that gives you comfortable working room rather than trying to maximise how much you fit into each bag.

Why Compliance Matters

Using properly certified asbestos disposal bags isn't just about following rules, it's about genuine safety. GHS-compliant bags have been tested to ensure they won't tear, puncture, or fail during handling and transport. This protects you during disposal, protects waste management workers, and ensures proper containment throughout the disposal chain.

Surepak's Asbestos Disposal Solution

At Surepak, we understand that unexpected situations like product recalls require immediate access to proper safety equipment. Our range of GHS-compliant asbestos disposal bags provides Australian households, schools, and businesses with the certified materials needed to safely manage contaminated products.

Product Range Overview

Our asbestos disposal bags are manufactured from 200-micron heavy-duty polyethylene with professionally welded seams and compliant warning labels. Each bag meets current Australian regulations for asbestos waste containment.

We offer multiple sizes to suit different disposal needs, from compact household options to larger commercial formats. All products are available for immediate dispatch from our Australian warehouse, ensuring you can access proper disposal materials quickly when you need them.

Why Choose Surepak?

As a leading supplier of industrial packaging and safety products across Australia, Surepak has built our reputation on providing reliable, compliant solutions when businesses and households need them most. We don't position ourselves as profiting from emergencies, we're here to ensure you have access to the right tools to handle unexpected situations safely.

Our product specifications meet or exceed regulatory requirements, our labelling is clear and compliant, and our delivery network ensures you receive materials quickly across metropolitan and regional Australia.

Additional Resources and Support

For the most current information about the asbestos sand recall, refer to official sources:

The ACCC Product Safety website maintains up-to-date lists of recalled products and affected batch numbers.

SafeWork authorities in each state and territory provide specific guidance on asbestos handling and disposal relevant to your location.

Your local council's hazardous waste disposal service can advise on collection points, procedures, and any local requirements specific to your area.