A fact sheet to help the contaminated land sector understand the changes to landfill legislation which is coming into force later this year has been published by the Environment Agency. Currently, contaminated soils that are hazardous need to be treated before they are sent to landfill. However from 30 October 2007, new provisions mean that all contaminated soils, whether hazardous or non-hazardous, must be treated before they are landfilled. In addition, liquid waste will be banned from any landfill.
Liz Parkes, head of waste at the Agency commented, "For businesses who produce or manage contaminated soils this means you will have to review how you manage your waste. If your waste does go to landfill, check to see if it is already being treated. If it isn't, you will need to treat it or make sure your waste management company does this for you."
As it stands at the moment, pre-treatment rules already apply to hazardous contaminated soils, so many landfill operators and land remediation companies are aware of the rules. However to explain what needs to be done, the Agency has been working with members of the waste and recycling industry to produce a fact sheet detailing the changes.
