Is there any paperwork required for transporting asbestos shingles, such as a Waste Shipment Record (WSR)?

Yes. The U.S. EPA’s National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos requires that a Waste Shipment Record (WSR) document all asbestos waste transport.

The WSR must be signed by each company or person involved with removal, transportation and disposal of the asbestos waste, including the facility owner or "generator" of the asbestos (including a homeowner).

NOTE: Although NESHAP does not apply to residential buildings with 4 or fewer units, MassDEP strongly recommends that all residents complete WSRs.

The asbestos removal contractor must ensure that a copy of the WSR is returned to the generator within 30 days of removal. If the asbestos waste generator does not receive the WSR in that time, then the generator should contact the nearest MassDEP office. The waste hauling company or asbestos removal firm should have these forms.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that transporters of more than one pound of asbestos carry identification papers for all shipments. The state police enforce this requirement.

If you want to transport the waste yourself you can obtain a sample of a WSR from your regional MassDEP office. You should complete the form before you remove the waste from the work site. At the landfill ensure that the landfill operator signs the form. The landfill also needs a copy of the form for its records. The completed WSR does not have to be submitted to any regulatory agency. These documents should be maintained in your permanent files.