Excavated materials
What you must do
Material that you remove from an excavation will not normally be regarded as waste if:
- you intend to reuse it on your site and
- it is suitable for use as backfill and
- it does not need to be processed before it can be reused.
In such cases the material would not be subject, at that point in time, to:
- the duty of care for waste
- waste management licensing
- pollution prevention and control (PPC) regime.
If the material you excavate is only fit for use if it is encapsulated, it is likely that this will be regarded as a landfilling activity and may require a permit.
Diluting or mixing contaminated material with non-contaminated material on site is not permitted. If in doubt, you should consult with your local environmental regulator.
- Zero Waste Scotland: Site waste reduction protocol
- Zero Waste Scotland: Reducing construction waste
- Invest NI: Resource matching service
Further information
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has produced detailed guidance for the construction sector. This is free to download.
- CECA: Waste classification and permitting in construction
- Hazardous / special waste
- NIEA: Construction and Demolition Waste and Recycled Concrete
- Waste carriers, brokers and dealers
- Duty of Care: Your waste responsibilities
- Pollution prevention and control permits
- Waste management licences
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