Soil Testing for Construction Waste

If you're removing soil waste, produced by business activities (e.g. a groundworks construction company excavating earth for foundations of a building), you will need to determine whether the soil you are removing is hazardous or not, as this will determine how the waste will be disposed of and whether soil could be re-used, avoiding the need for disposal. A waste classification test will be required to measure the levels of potentially toxic heavy metals and hydrocarbons and to classify the waste. If landfill is the chosen destination for your soil waste, leachate analysis will be needed and this is known as a Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) test.

Why Do I Need Soil Testing for Construction Waste Disposal? - Laws regarding proper disposal of construction waste have become far more stringent and more strictly enforced in recent years, resulting in the need for companies to conduct soil tests before removing construction waste. Authorities such as the Environment Agency have the right to fine you for failure to comply with waste management regulations. Common issues surrounding removal of construction waste, and reasons for needing soil testing, include:

- Producers describing the waste they create incorrectly, in order to pay a lower rate of tax
- The Environment Agency is currently clamping down on deliberate misdescription of waste, whereby hazardous waste is described as non-hazardous, or waste misclassified as non-waste
- Government review has called for increased fines for companies mislabelling waste
- To avoid unintentional mislabelling of waste, soil tests for removing construction waste will need to be carried out
- Failure to test waste to properly classify it may be treated as criminal negligence and punished as such.

Who's responsible for ensuring a soil test is conducted? - Government legislation states that it is the legal responsibility of the waste producer to ensure a soil test is carried out for removal and disposal of construction waste. It is considered part of your 'Duty of Care'. However, this is not always a simple process and the correct knowledge and credentials are essential in order to make sure you comply with the relevant regulations and avoid potential penalties. Luckily you don't have to carry out these soil tests yourself as we can work on your behalf to ensure the proper and legal disposal of your construction waste and save you time and money on your construction project.

Our Soil Testing Services for Removing Construction Waste

Waste classification testing for construction waste - In order to accurately assess contamination levels of construction waste prior to waste disposal, we're able to collect samples from site or provide a soil testing kit and conduct soil waste classification in a UKAS accredited laboratory. We can then liaise with waste disposal companies to remove the soil from site, meaning you can rest assured that you've done your due diligence and fully complied with environmental regulations.

WAC testing for construction waste - It may also be necessary to carry out WAC testing after the waste soil has been classified. Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing is carried out to determine which type of landfill your construction waste can be sent to. If construction waste is initially classified as non-hazardous waste but is also potentially inert, you may wish to carry out WAC testing to confirm this (inert landfill is generally cheaper than non-hazardous). When construction waste is found to be hazardous, a hazardous WAC test can be carried out to see whether it meets hazardous WAC criteria, if it doesn't then it must undergo treatment before it can be sent to landfill.

Contamination Testing for Construction Waste Case Study & Review

When disposing of soil waste from construction work, it is often necessary to test for soil contamination to ensure the waste is appropriately disposed of. This generally involves collecting soil samples to be analysed in a laboratory to classify the waste into a particular landfill class. With tighter environmental regulations being imposed on business activities, it's important to ensure that construction waste is properly dealt with to avoid penalties and potential environmental pollution.

Site Visit & Fast Tracked Turnaround - We were instructed by a Leicestershire based construction firm, Saxby Hatfield, to carry out a site assessment with sampling work and soil contamination testing for their construction waste. After being let down by a previous contractor, the client needed contamination testing for muck away removal of 5000 tonnes of soil from their site in Leicestershire and were on a tight schedule, so needed a fast tracked turnaround. We were able to visit site the following day and carry out a full site survey along with comprehensive soil testing of the construction waste being removed from site. This allowed the client to stick to their schedule, mitigating any delays and ensuring they complied with waste disposal regulations.

Soil Sampling - The site was approximately 2500m2 with around 5000 tonnes of soil for waste disposal. 5 soil sample sets were taken from the site for testing, this included 5 x 500ml plastic tubs, 5 x 250ml amber jars and 5 x 60ml VOC jars. Samples are collected in a range of containers in order to analyse the waste for different properties, such as heavy metal and hydrocarbon concentrations, in order to gain a complete testing of the waste and any potential contamination. Soil samples were taken from specific locations on the site so as to gain a representative sample of all the waste being removed.

Laboratory Analysis - The soil samples collected from site were tested for a range of contaminants in a UKAS accredited laboratory. The samples were primarily tested for concentrations of heavy metals, TPHs and PAHs. This is known as a 'Waste Classification Test' as these are considered to be the most important characteristics of soil with regards to classifying it as hazardous or non-hazardous. Since the client needed the results as soon as possible, testing was fast tracked and completed within just 3 days.

Waste Characterisation Form - Many waste disposal companies require and completed waste characterisation form prior to collecting waste from site. A waste characterisation form is both simple and complex and generally consists of information about the site and the waste being disposed of, as well as, contamination testing to confirm whether the construction waste being disposed of is hazardous or non-hazardous. For example, the correct 'List of Waste' and 'European Waste Catalogue' codes are needed along with details of the activity producing the waste. As part of our service, if available, we will complete the waste characterisation form of our client's chosen waste disposal company, saving them time and giving them confidence that the information is accurate and the form is correctly completed.

Saxby Hatfield are now a construction partner of ours, after successfully working together for some time now, and kindly posted this review on our social media.

The guys at Oakshire are really friendly and helpful. They always deliver a professional and speedy service for us. We use them for all our waste classification testing, reporting and environmental consulting for our groundwork division. A great company to work with.

Meet Our Construction Waste Consultants

Louis Turner, Technical Director - Having graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Environmental Science, Louis is recognised for his technical leadership and precision in environmental consultancy. Louis provides strategic oversight across all service areas, ensuring projects meet the highest standards of compliance, accuracy, and environmental responsibility. Louis oversees soil testing programmes, ensuring samples are collected, analysed, and interpreted to UKAS-accredited standards. His expertise provides clients with reliable data on soil composition, contamination levels, and suitability for development to support sustainable land use.

Joe Turner, Operations Director - Providing practical expertise and a client-focused approach, Joe ensures that every project is delivered quickly, efficiently, and without unnecessary hassle. He has successfully managed a wide variety of project types across the consultancy, bringing a wealth of operational knowledge and a reputation for keeping projects on track. Joe's leadership guarantees a smooth process for clients, from initial enquiry through to final reporting. Joe coordinates soil testing programmes, overseeing sample collection, laboratory analysis, and reporting. His leadership ensures that results are delivered quickly and reliably, supporting compliance with British Standards and providing clients with the data they need to progress projects confidently.

Richard Turner, Director - With over 30 years of experience in site development, he provides invaluable insight into pragmatic solutions that balance costs, practicalities, and client objectives. Richard has a detailed understanding of building regulations and a clear sense of what is and isn't possible on site, making him a trusted advisor for developments of all sizes. Richard oversees soil testing projects with a focus on practical application, ensuring that laboratory results translate into clear, actionable steps for construction and development. His approach bridges technical data with on site realities.

Request Soil Testing For Construction Waste

Contact us for an informal discussion about your requirements or, if your requirements are more complex, a more formal consultation may be necessary. Following initial consultation we can provide an outline proposal detailing how we can help and the costs involved. If you're looking for more information about our services or our company then complete the below contact form and we will endeavour to respond to your enquiry in a timely manner, alternatively, give us a call on 0800 433 2906 and our experienced consultants can provide actionable advice and guidance.

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References
BSI Group. BS EN 12457-2 - Characterisation of waste. Leaching
Environment Agency. Classify excavated waste from street and utility works: RPS 298
Environment Agency. Land contamination risk management (LCRM)
Environment Agency. Waste Classification: Guidance on the classification and assessment of waste
Street Works UK. Material Classification Protocol