Excavating sites to prepare them for construction is a common procedure within the construction industry. There are various types of excavation, including topsoil excavation, earth excavation, and rock excavation.
Naturally, all of these create substantial amounts of waste materials that require proper care. Due to UK waste regulations, all excess resources must be disposed of accordingly in order to avoid fines. Many of these waste products are recyclable, creating a simple and legal solution.
However, that is not always the case. Below we will cover all of the options for the removal of excavation waste, including when each option may or may not be suitable.
Different waste disposal measures may be appropriate depending on the circumstances. The principal methods of disposing of excavation waste include recycling and transporting excess materials to a landfill. At first glance, recycling appears to be the obvious choice for discarding unwanted byproducts.
However, not all excavation waste is suitable for repurposing in this manner. Some waste matter is not safe to be reused in the future due to elements such as asbestos being present within the soil. These materials need to be contained and disposed of properly by experts. SRC Group are professionals in the field of removing hazardous waste safely.
In addition to owning our very own landfill sites for more general waste, we pride ourselves on our connections with specialist, reputable contractors who are able to ensure that hazardous waste is carefully contained and discarded.
SRC Group can provide our expert in-house soil testing service in order to identify exactly what substances are present. This test allows SRC Group to provide our clients with a meaningful recycling plan, maximising the recycling potential of these excess materials and managing the waste load effectively.
At SRC Group, we offer a variety of soil testing services. Our on-site rapid measure testing is the quickest test that we offer. This samples the soil directly at the site and provides immediate results, it can be instrumental in enabling rapid decision making. Secondly, SRC Group’s heavy metals and hydrocarbon testing evaluates the presence and levels of these substances in the soil.
This test certifies that a site’s waste is in line with the Government’s WM3 policy. Classifying waste in this manner informs experts whether the excess resources are safe for recycling and disposal.
When it is suspected that any type of asbestos is present within waste material, it is highly recommended to carry out an asbestos quantification test. With this test, SRC Group’s in-house experts can determine the quantity and type of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).
Therefore, minimising the risk by allowing removal procedures to be carefully planned around the outcome of the test. Any excavation waste containing asbestos is not fit for recycling and requires removal by professionals. Finally, the WAC test ensures that any materials present are safe for regular methods of disposal.
Overall, soil testing is extremely important as it provides insight into the properties of the excavation waste, maximising the recycling potential of available materials.
Once it is certain that excavation waste is suitable for recycling, as determined by the tests described above, there are several uses for these excess materials. Firstly, any surplus soil that is taken from the small-scale (DIY) excavations, can be repurposed directly at the site as a gardening material.
However, in larger construction projects, it is harder to repurpose substantial amounts of soil at the site. In these cases, the soil will have to be transported away from the area and reused on another project.
Furthermore, any aggregates found within the soil can be recycled using SRC Group’s state of the art recycling centres, where they are turned into construction materials for future projects. Recycling excavation waste can positively affect a project’s environmental impact while providing resources for future building works.
It’s vital that anyone coordinating a large-scale excavation project is mindful of the environmental consequences associated with the way they choose to deal with waste. Whilst it is important to know that putting waste in a landfill is the only safe option, due to hazardous content, the recycling potential of the material must also be considered.
Soil testing can be an ideal solution to maximise the amount of excess soil that is repurposed, creating a greener option for the removal of excavation waste.
SRC Group is a leading circular economy construction business based in London and the South East. Our independent, family-run business has provided reliable waste solutions, contracting services and heavy building materials across the UK for more than 30 years.
Want to know more about our services? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
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