What Clean Harbors does with asbestos
Clean Harbors is a waste management and environmental services company that operates asbestos abatement and disposal services across the United States. They remove asbestos-containing materials from buildings, handle the waste according to federal and state regulations, and transport it to licensed disposal facilities. Clean Harbors is one of the larger private contractors in this space, but they are not a government agency — you hire them directly or your employer contracts them for a specific job.
If you are dealing with asbestos in a building you own, rent, or work in, Clean Harbors is one option among several licensed contractors. Understanding what they do, how much it costs, and whether they are the right choice for your situation requires knowing how asbestos removal actually works and what your legal obligations are.
Key Takeaways
- Clean Harbors is a private contractor, not a government program — you pay them directly or your employer does, and costs vary widely based on the scope and location of the work.
- Asbestos removal must be done by a licensed contractor in most states, and Clean Harbors holds licenses in multiple states, but you should verify their current licensing for your specific location.
- The cost of asbestos abatement depends on how much material is present, where it is located, and what type of asbestos it is — there is no standard price across jobs.
- If you suspect asbestos in a building, you typically need a certified inspector to test it first; Clean Harbors can do inspection and removal, but these are separate services with separate costs.
- For workplace asbestos exposure, OSHA regulations and your employer's insurance may determine whether Clean Harbors or another contractor is used.
When you might contact Clean Harbors
You would contact Clean Harbors if you own or manage a building where asbestos has been identified and needs to be removed. This includes homes built before the 1980s, commercial buildings, schools, and industrial facilities. The trigger is usually either a renovation or repair project that will disturb asbestos-containing materials, or a building inspection that found asbestos and your local health department or insurance company requires its removal.
If you are a tenant or employee and suspect asbestos in your space, you do not contact Clean Harbors directly — you report it to your landlord or employer, who then decides whether to hire a contractor. If you work in a building where asbestos removal is happening, your employer or building owner arranges it.
Clean Harbors also handles asbestos removal for industrial sites, manufacturing facilities, and demolition projects. In those cases, the site owner or the demolition contractor typically initiates the work.
How the inspection and removal process works
Asbestos removal is a two-step process: inspection and testing first, then abatement. Clean Harbors offers both services, but they are billed separately and the inspection must happen before removal can begin.
In the inspection phase, a certified industrial hygienist or asbestos inspector collects samples of suspected materials and sends them to a lab for analysis. The lab confirms whether asbestos is present and in what concentration. This step is required by law in most states before any removal work can start. The inspection report tells you exactly where the asbestos is, how much there is, and what type it is.
Once asbestos is confirmed, the abatement phase begins. Clean Harbors' crew sets up containment barriers, uses specialized equipment to remove the material without releasing fibers into the air, places the waste in sealed containers, and transports it to a licensed disposal facility. The entire work area is then tested to confirm it is safe. This process can take days or weeks depending on the size of the job.
Licensing and regulatory requirements
Clean Harbors must hold an asbestos contractor license in each state where it operates. Licensing requirements vary by state — some states require separate licenses for inspection and removal, while others combine them. You should verify that Clean Harbors holds a current, active license in your state before hiring them. You can usually check this on your state's environmental or occupational safety website.
Federal law (the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, or NESHAP) sets minimum standards for asbestos removal, and states often impose stricter rules. Clean Harbors must follow both. If you are removing asbestos from a school or public building, additional notification and approval steps may be required before work can begin.
Your local health department or environmental agency may also require notification before asbestos removal starts. Clean Harbors typically handles this paperwork as part of their service, but you should confirm what is included in their quote.
Cost and what affects the price
There is no fixed price for asbestos removal — costs depend on the amount of material, its location, the type of asbestos, and the complexity of containment. A small job (removing asbestos from pipe insulation in a basement) might cost a few thousand dollars. A large job (abating asbestos from an entire building's insulation and floor tiles) can cost tens of thousands or more.
The inspection alone typically costs $500 to $2,000, depending on the building size and number of samples needed. Removal costs are usually quoted per square foot or per project after the inspection is complete. Disposal fees are separate and depend on the weight and type of waste.
Get quotes from multiple licensed contractors, not just Clean Harbors. Compare what is included in each quote — some contractors include disposal and testing in their price, while others bill these separately. Ask whether the quote includes post-abatement air testing, which confirms the area is safe.
Insurance and liability
Clean Harbors carries liability insurance for their work, but you should verify the coverage limits and what is and is not covered. If something goes wrong during removal — for example, if asbestos fibers are released into areas that should have been contained — the contractor's insurance is supposed to cover cleanup and any resulting health claims.
Before hiring, ask Clean Harbors for proof of insurance and the name of their insurance carrier. You can contact the carrier directly to confirm the policy is active. Also ask whether they carry pollution liability insurance, which covers environmental damage.
If you are removing asbestos from a rental property, your property insurance may or may not cover the cost. Check your policy before getting quotes. Some insurers require notification before work begins.
Alternatives to Clean Harbors
Clean Harbors is one of several large national contractors, but there are also regional and local asbestos abatement companies. Smaller contractors may have lower overhead and offer competitive pricing, though you should verify their licensing and insurance the same way you would for Clean Harbors.
If you are looking for a contractor, start by asking your state environmental agency or occupational safety board for a list of licensed asbestos contractors in your area. Your local health department may also have recommendations. Getting three quotes is standard practice and helps you compare pricing and scope.
For workplace asbestos exposure, OSHA regulations determine how removal must be done, but your employer chooses the contractor. If you believe your employer is not handling asbestos safely, you can file a complaint with OSHA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove asbestos myself?
No. Federal law and state regulations require that asbestos removal be done by a licensed contractor. Disturbing asbestos yourself releases fibers that cause serious lung disease. Hire a licensed professional.
How long does asbestos removal take?
Inspection takes a few days to a week (including lab results). Removal can take anywhere from a few days for a small job to several weeks for a large building. The contractor will give you a timeline after the inspection is complete.
Do I have to notify anyone before hiring Clean Harbors?
Your local health department or environmental agency may require notification before asbestos removal begins. Clean Harbors typically handles this as part of their service, but confirm it is included in your contract. Schools and public buildings have additional notification requirements.
What happens to the asbestos after it is removed?
It is placed in sealed, labeled containers and transported to a licensed asbestos disposal facility. Only certain landfills accept asbestos waste, and it must be buried in a designated area. Clean Harbors arranges and pays for disposal as part of their service.
Is asbestos removal covered by insurance?
It depends on your policy and the reason for removal. If asbestos is discovered during a covered loss (like a fire), insurance may pay. If you are removing it for renovation or because it was found during inspection, your homeowner's or commercial policy may not cover it. Check your policy before getting quotes.