Soil Waste Classification

Excess soil material on development sites generated during construction activities is often used on site in open space areas, as screening bunds or within recreational areas. If the materials are natural there is generally no need to chemically characterise them, unless ongoing and former site activities suggest a potential contamination source(s). In urban areas anthropogenic sources from combustion processes may result in natural materials, such as topsoil, having their chemical status impaired, demanding some testing. Soil waste classification is the process required to appropriately manage waste material.

Soil Waste Classification

On many previously developed sites the chemical quality of soils needs to be assessed to determine the impact on end users, construction workers, and also controlled waters. Much of this data can be used to determine whether excess soils, if taken offsite, are Hazardous, Non Hazardous, or inert. If the excess material is re-used on site this same data can be used as part of the construction of a Remedial Strategy and Materials Management Plan.

Our company is well versed in the characterisation of soils for offsite disposal and as part of Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessments.

The client is requested to provide the information in the form of an EXCEL™ spreadsheet or in paper form. We then provide a comprehensive assessment of the results with clear reasoning behind the individual substance exceedances. This Soil Waste Classification Report is provided to the client within 24hrs of receipt of the information, with an invoice raised upon completion of the work.

Clients that use this service include consultants, landfill operators, contractors and developers.

What is Waste Classification?

Waste classification is required to determine the correct way to recycle, reuse or dispose of any waste from site development including infrastructure, construction, and residential, industrial, and commercial developments. It is important that the level of risk that the waste presents is assessed and ensure that any party who receives the waste or reuses it is permitted to do so. Waste classification for disposal is a legal requirement and developers need to ensure they are compliant. Government regulators including The Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have the power to prosecute if your company is not handling waste within the legislation and is non compliant.

As part of your waste duty of care you must classify the waste your business produces:

  •   before it is collected, disposed of, or recovered
  •  to identify the controls that apply to the movement of the waste
  •  to complete waste documents and records
  •  to identify suitably authorised waste management options
  •  to prevent harm to people and the environment

You need to classify each waste so you can describe it.

The classification:

  • must be worked out before the waste is moved, disposed of, or recovered
  • must be included on waste documents and records
  • determines the controls that apply to the movement of the waste
  • is needed to identify a suitably authorised waste management option

Some examples of the classification of common wastes (for England) are provided here

The disposal of waste soils from brownfield developments can add significant costs to the project. If the waste disposal cost is not accounted for in the early stages of the site’s development plan it can impact the success and viability of the project. So it is vital to ensure developers have a clear understanding of the site.

At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical we work with consultants, landfill operators, contractors, and developers to ensure any waste is handled appropriately and you can make informed decisions regarding your soil waste management.

What is the Process of  Soil Waste Classification?

Waste soil classification is the process of characterising and categorising soil that could be discarded by disposal to landfill or reused on a different site.  The process applies to all ‘excess’ soils even if it is not classed as contaminated by current or historic activity. Soil Waste Classification Testing is the first step in the waste disposal process.

The Environment Agency’s Technical Guidance document for the classification of waste is the WM3 Assessments.

Waste classification and assessment procedure

Stage 1 – Classify the Soil Waste

Classify the waste and identify its hazardous properties

You need to classify each waste so you can describe it.

The classification:

  • must be worked out before the waste is moved, disposed of, or recovered
  • must be included on waste documents and records
  • determines the controls that apply to the movement of the waste
  • is needed to identify a suitably authorised waste management option

Some examples of the classification of common wastes (for England) are provided here

In order to allow for soil waste to be disposed of, e.g. to landfill, waste carriers and landfill operators will require detailed chemical analysis and an accurate classification (hazardous or non-hazardous) of the waste.

Steps to Classifying the Waste
  1. Check if the waste needs to be classified
  2. Identify the code or codes that may apply to the waste
  3. Identify the assessment needed to select the correct code
Steps to Assessing the Waste
  1. Determine the chemical composition of the waste
  2. Identify if the substances in the waste are ’hazardous substances’ or ’Persistent Organic Pollutants’
  3. Assess the hazardous properties of the waste
  4. Assign the classification code and describe the classification code

Soil waste classification for landfill disposal will involve analysing soil for a range of contaminants, including heavy metals, inorganics and hydrocarbons. An understanding of the development sites’ historic activities and current usage is essential. The soils will be subject to laboratory analysis, the scope of the analysis will be advised from a phase 1 desk study which will highlight potential contaminants and hazards that need to be tested for.

The waste will end up classified as either:

• Hazardous waste with the waste code 17-05-03 (soil and stones containing hazardous substances)
• Non-hazardous waste with code 17-05-04 (soil and stones other than those mentioned in 17-05-03)

What is the Process of  Soil Waste Classification?

Stage 2

Soil Waste Classification Testing is the first step in the waste disposal process. Once the soil waste has been classified then stage 2 of the process should be completed.

Stage 2 of the Soil Waste Classification is Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing.

When the List of Waste Codes has been determined WAC testing may be required.

There are four main landfill categories

  • Inert
  • Non-Hazardous
  • Stable Non-Reactive Hazardous
  • Hazardous

Waste classified as Hazardous in Stage 1 can only be deposited to either the Stable Non-Reactive Hazardous or Hazardous landfill. Non Hazardous waste can only be disposed of in an inert landfill site if a WAC test confirms this is appropriate.

What is WAC Testing?

Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing is carried out to determine which landfill class soil waste can be sent to. WAC testing does not provide a measure of the total hazardous content of the soil, the tests are primarily by analysis of leachates derived from that waste. As such WAC data must not be used for waste classification. WAC Testing is used to determine how a waste will behave once it’s buried in a landfill site.

If waste is identified as non-hazardous, through the waste classification testing process, it may be prudent to conduct WAC testing to confirm the soil waste meets inert landfill criteria. As inert landfill disposal is significantly cheaper than other landfill categories.

At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical we work with consultants, landfill operators, contractors, and developers to ensure any waste is handled appropriately and you can make informed decisions regarding your soil waste management.

Environmental and Geotechnical services for Landfill Sites

Soil Waste Classification.

Waste classification is required to determine the appropriate way to manage waste material destined for disposal, storage or treatment. The identification, classification, and disposal of waste is important, and also a legal requirement.

The Environment Agency’s Technical Guidance document for the classification of waste can be found here WM3 Assessment.

Earth environmental and geotechnical soil waste classification asbestos
Earth environmental and geotechnical material management plans service
Soil Waste Classification Service
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We offer a range of services to help our clients comply with the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
These services include:

In addition our comprehensive testing can minimise the amount of waste that needs to be sent to hazardous landfill. As hazardous landfill is significantly more expensive, it is prudent to ensure the correct tests are completed to reduce disposal expenses.

Contact us for further information on Soil Waste Classification.

We can also provide advice on potential options for the recycling and reusing of materials gained on-site, either on the existing development site or off-site, under Environmental Permits, the WRAP protocol, or the CL:AIRE Definition of Waste Code of Practice.