Our Sustainable Soil Process
Sustainable soil management is not just an environmental imperative; it’s a practical solution that offers significant advantages to construction projects. By prioritising the reuse and recycling of topsoil, we can substantially reduce construction waste and minimise the amount of healthy topsoil being sent to landfill. Not to mention, there’s the potential of some considerable cost savings too!
Our sustainable soil services follow the CL:AIRE Definition of Waste: Code of Practice (DoW CoP), ensuring that topsoil is reused on-site or between sites whenever possible.
Here’s how our process works:
- 1. Soil testing before excavation
We begin by thoroughly assessing the soil to ensure it is suitable for reuse. This involves comprehensive testing to determine the soil’s characteristics and any potential contaminants. Read more about our soil testing process here.
- 2. Find recipient sites
If the soil is suitable for reuse* but there is no opportunity for it to repurposed on the original site, we then identify suitable recipient sites as locally as possible. This may involve using a U1 exemption from the Environment Agency for smaller quantities (generally limited to 1000 tonnes) or using a Materials Management Plan in accordance with the CL:AIRE DoW CoP for larger quantities. If required, our team prepares a detailed Materials Management Plan (MMP) to outline the entire process of assessment, tracking, reuse and verification.
- 3. Declaration
A formally Qualified Person reviews and declares the MMP. This is crucial as it ensures compliance with regulations and best practices. A verification report is produced and submitted to CL:AIRE, as the Environment Agency may audit the site, and landfill tax may be payable if there is no verification record.
- 4. Strip and stockpile
Once the MMP has been declared, we carefully strip the topsoil and create stockpiles if necessary. This is done with precision to maintain the soil’s quality and structure. There are a lot of factors to consider when stockpiling including the height and shape – to maintain a healthy structure of the soil, it’s location and whether protection is required, the duration it is kept and any additional erosion control. If stockpiles are not needed, e.g. the recipient site can receive the topsoil immediately, we will endeavour for a seamless strip, load and deliver.
- 5. Load and deliver
Finally, we load the soil into appropriate vehicles and transport it to the recipient site, ensuring all necessary documentation accompanies the material. This is called a direct transfer and is the most ideal outcome for topsoil, resulting in it being repurposed as opposed to going to waste.
*It is not always possible to reuse the topsoil if it does not meet the required standards. If this is the case, we will then look at other options such as screening, amelioration or alternative reuse options.
By utilising our Sustainable Soil Service, clients can be confident that they are not only complying with regulations but also contributing to a more sustainable construction industry.