This month the Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots launched new soil guidance that will cover how, where and when soil excavated from construction sites can be used elsewhere in Northern Ireland.
The 'Guidance on the Sustainable Re-use of Greenfield Soil in Construction' was produced by the NIEA in partnership with the Construction Employers Federation and other industry stakeholders. As a result of this collaboration the new guidance has the backing of industry groups and it is believed it will be a step forward for both the economy as well as the environment.
The European Waste Framework Directive classifies surplus soil from construction sites as a waste. This means that its movement must be regulated under waste management controls that cost both time and money. This has contributed to clean soils being dumped or unnecessarily going to landfill.
These new published guidelines clearly lay down conditions under which uncontaminated, greenfield soil from construction sites can be re-used sustainably without the requirement for environmental regulatory controls.
On this matter the Environment Minister commented how "this guidance provides sensible regulations and solutions that are proportionate and effective yet risk based. This will ensure what was formerly classified as 'waste' can be re-used sustainably whilst still protecting the environment and human health."