ARL Solutions - Asbestos Removal Experts

02/06/2026

RECALL OF CHILDREN'S TOYS - ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION

A recall has been issued for several children's toys after asbestos was detected during independent laboratory testing.

Naturally occurring Chrysotile and Tremolite asbestos was found in some samples of a range of Planet Fun brand Funkee Animals and Secret Menu Stretchee Foodz toys, according to Product Safety New Zealand. Exposure would only occur if the product was torn.

The affected products are as follows:

* Funkee Monkee Mega PDQ (Barcode: 622222419295),
* Funkee Animalz Puppies Mega PDQ (Barcode: 622222422288)
* Funkee Animalz Axolotl Mega PDQ (Barcode: 622222174590)
* Funkee Pig Jumbo (Barcode: 622222170899)
* Funkee Monkee Jumbo (Barcode: 622222168452)
*Secret Menu Stretchee Foodz Asst PDQ (Barcode: 622222168155).

The toys were sold at The Warehouse and Farmers from January 2025 to April 2026, and Toyworld and Paper Plus from February 2025 to April 2026.

Planet Fun has advised those who own these products to stop using them immediately, to place them in a double ziplock bag, and to not dispose of the product in the general waste. "Return it to the store you purchased it from for a refund. This may require proof of purchase."

Thanks to New Zealand Demolition & Asbestos Association for the information to pass on!

24/05/2026

WE ARE NOW HIRING!

Due to a strong forecast of forward work, we are seeking motivated & hard working LABOURERS to join our tight-knit team! If you are interested, have a look on Trade Me and apply through that link.

No experience/training required!!! We will provide everything you need to get started.

What We’re Looking For:
🔹 Tidy, professional presentation each day
🔹 Drug-free and committed to a safe work environment
🔹 Willing to work 5 days per week
🔹 Punctual with a strong work ethic and positive attitude
🔹 Commitment to learn good health & safety practice

⸻

If you’re a hard working & honest labourer looking for a solid role with a growing company, we want to hear from you.

Apply Now – apply through Trade Me or send your CV and any relevant certificates/licenses to:

[email protected]

ARL Solutions is a locally owned and operated hazardous materials specialist company experiencing strong and continued growth. Due to an expanding workload, we ...

14/05/2026

LEAD-BASED PAINT REMOVAL & DEMOLITION

While we certainly base our company model around asbestos removal & being the best there, you might not know that we offer other services. This month, we have kicked of a large-scale lead-based paint removal project (photos from the project) and a hand-demolition of a house in Akaroa.

These projects require quite a bit of skill and expertise to provide safe resolutions for clients, minimising any risk or disturbance to neighbours who are understandably worried about these projects. Environmental impacts from demolition and lead-based paint are serious concerns, and you need to know any contractor you bring on is going do a great job controlling these risks.

Likewise it's important to have a contractor who is compassionate, providing education and reassurance to neighbours with concerns! At each of these projects, we make sure that there is a clear line of communication and consultation with affected parties (like neighbours) BEFORE the project starts.

Contact us today if you have a project involving asbestos, lead-based paint, demolition, mould, or anything else that is tricky!!!

[email protected]
03 312 6926

22/04/2026

SiteWise GOLD & Tōtika Listed Supplier

As a part of our health & safety system, we undergo regular reviews and auditing by several independent organisations. Both SiteWise and Tōtika have reviewed our provided documentation and awarded us full marks for our health & safety system--scoring 100% for both assessments!

If you want peace of mind, knowing that a highly professional contractor with an excellent health & safety record is doing your asbestos removal project, contact us today!

03 312 6926
[email protected]
www.arls.co.nz

14/04/2026

Ministry of Education establishes Accredited Suppliers List for asbestos-related work.

Recently, ARL Solutions has been approved by the Ministry of Education to provide Class A & B removal services to the Ministry and schools throughout New Zealand. The MoE's thorough application and vetting process ensures that only the highest standard of asbestos professional can work on school and MoE jobs.

As a key supplier to the MoE for many years, we are proud to have been selected for this list. Over the past few years, we have been fortunate enough to carry out quite a few highly complex and high-profile asbestos removal projects for the MoE, finishing each project with an impeccable health & safety record & safe results.

Learn about our established property supplier panels and how you can join one.

08/04/2026

ARL Solutions sponsors the Mid Canterbury Combined 1st XV! You can follow them here: MC Combined 1st XV 2025

In 2025, we completed several major projects at a school in Ashburton. This work we did there was ground-breaking, a first of it's type for the Ministry of Education. We were trusted to deliver a high-profile and complex removal project--to make high-risk work into a low-risk, well-executed reality.

As a part of this project, we engaged directly with the Ministry of Education, the school administration and staff. We also recognised our role in the community and made a decision to sponsor this team. Quite a few of our guys have backgrounds in sport, so our connection to the local community as well to sport played a big part in giving a little bit back to the community.

We do look for more ways to give back through sponsorship, so let us know if you have a good cause we can contribute to!

01/04/2026

ISO45001 Certification!

ARL Solutions has earned ISO45001 Certification of our Occupational Health & Safety Management System! This higher level of certification means you can be assured that our safety practices meet the highest standards. To achieve certification, our system was extensively audited by an independent contractor, which found it meets these top international standards.

Previously, ARL Solutions has held (and continues to hold) OHSAS18001 certification, which is the minimum proscribed by WorkSafe.

If you need a professional, reputable, and SAFE removalist for your asbestos removal project, get in touch today!

03 312 6926
[email protected]
www.arls.co.nz

18/11/2025

It's Asbestos Awareness Week! Have a look at WorkSafe's resources to learn more about this hazard.

For the asbestos in sand issue, stay on top of current guidance:

https://info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/healthy-homes-environments/hazardous-substances/asbestos/asbestos-in-sand

https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-media/asbestos-in-coloured-sand/

Asbestos exposure is Aotearoa’s number one workplace killer.

Around 220 people die each year from preventable asbestos-related disease. The airborne fibres are so small they’re invisible to the naked eye, and can cause harm when breathed in. There are no safe levels of exposure.

The dangers are widely known, so there are no excuses.

Learn how to protect yourself and others at https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/asbestos/asbestos-awareness-week/

17/11/2025

Asbestos Awareness Week

The importance of asbestos awareness and training has been made quite clear by the ongoing asbestos in sand issue.

If you've got this sand in your house, may sure to follow appropriate steps to get it remediated. Check comments on this post for links to the various webpages.

1. Check the product recall links: Double check whether it is either of the sands that have been recalled. Educational Colours & Creatistics sands and Kmart sands. If it any of these sands, or you are not sure, treat the sand as contaminated sand.

2. Get an asbestos removalist to pick up the container of sand: If the sand is in a sealed container, contact an asbestos removalist to arrange for them to pick up and dispose of the sealed container of sand. There may be a small cost for this. Either use Google or another search engine to find a removalist in your area, or use the WorkSafe New Zealand website. As a few other commenters said, Kmart also will accept the sand back (safely sealed in a container) and will give a refund.

3. Disposing of the sand: asbestos cannot be disposed of at a normal landfill! Do NOT take your sand to a normal tip, and do NOT put it in your bins. Asbestos waste must only be taken to a landfill which is authorized to receive and dispose of asbestos waste. There are very strict requirements for disposing of asbestos waste.

4. Isolate contaminated areas: If the sand was taken out of it's original packing, that area may be contaminated. Shut all doors and windows to the affected rooms, and prevent anyone from accessing this rooms. Do not reenter until it is safe to do so.

5. Contact an asbestos assessor or surveyor to help identify the scope of remediation required (if any is required at all)--these are the people to contact about testing your house for asbestos! These people have specialized training in identifying asbestos and the extent of contamination.

6. Contact a removalist to carry out remediation (decontamination, clean up). Refer to step #2 for finding a removalist.

12/11/2025

CHILDREN'S PRODUCT CONTAMINATED WITH ASBESTOS

Take care out there! If you have ***coloured sand*** products in your house, have a look whether it is the recalled product.

Educational Colours - rainbow sand
Creatistics - coloured sand

These products were sold at Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire, and Qizzle, Modern Teaching Aids, Creative Classrooms Ltd and ACME Supplies. They were found to contain tremolite, which is asbestos!!!

Get in contact with us today if you have this product in your house and need it taken care of. This is quite a dangerous thing for our tamariki, so we are happy to do this work at very reduced rates.

People are warned to stop using the product immediately.