By Benen Geir
There are a few different types of developments where there is a substantial amount of soil is removed, such as for foundation excavation or where the ground is levelled before the rest of the project gets underway. This soil, unless it is uncontaminated or natural, must go through a precise process of waste classification before it can be moved off site, ensuring that it is appropriately, safely and legally removed from the site. Waste management might not always seem like a priority but the waste classifications of soil on site are extremely important to the regulatory and legal side of the management of a construction site and development where soil is to be removed.
A professional waste classification service aims to provide a fast and efficient sampling and chemical analysis of the soil in question. The end result is an accurate waste classification that helps to reduce the impact on landfill, help the environment and reduce the impact on human health. The right classification of soil waste on site will also help to significantly reduce the cost to the project of the disposal itself. The soils undergo chemical analysis, are characterised and then classed using the definitions of the Environment Agency and it’s “Guidance on the Classification and Assessment of Waste”. The soil will be classed as either hazardous waste or non-hazardous waste.
This process is required in order to find the right way of disposing of the soil on site. The analysis methods used and the overall results of the waste classification. This information is then taken to the landfill operator in order to secure the waste material permit that you will need. The classification helps to make a site much more efficient and cost-effective as it allows for a clear segregation of waste that is to be removed to landfill prior to removal. It makes for a much smoother process overall.
The wrong choices when it comes to landfill and waste disposal on site can cause untold issues and problems down the line. For one, the cost of soil and other waste removal on site is often one of the most significant portions of a site budget, so it is imperative that waste classification is correct the first time. It also helps to categorise soil that is uncontaminated or natural, as this can be reused on site for construction purposes on the site of origin, if this is wished.
Waste classification on a site is extremely important. Finding a professional, experienced company to undertake soil analysis with a view to comprehensive waste classification, will help any project to remain on track to hit its targets. There are many different types of developments that require a removal of soil and other materials to be successfully achieved prior to any further work commencing. It is in these moments that you require accuracy of soil analysis, as the classification of waste is a crucial part of the entire process. Only if soil is considered to be natural and completely uncontaminated can it be removed from the site without classification. Every other type of soil removal requires this classification before anything else can take place.
