What is a WAC Test?

The Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) sets parameters for different types of waste and determines criteria for waste to be accepted to a particular landfill type (in other words, a WAC test tells you which landfill you can send your waste to). A WAC test will essentially analyse the leaching ability of contaminants in the soil to identify how contaminants will act when in landfill. So, after soil waste has undergone basic characterisation to classify it as non-hazardous or hazardous it can then undergo WAC testing.

When is WAC testing required? - It's important to remember that a WAC test can only be carried out after waste has been classified as non-hazardous or hazardous. The landfill will require 'Basic Characterisation' of the soil and you have a 'Duty of Care', as the waste producer, to carry out this characterisation. To achieve this basic characterisation you must carry out a waste classification test, once this has been completed, soil waste can undergo a WAC test. A waste classification test is often carried out in conjunction with a WAC test to give you all the information you would need to provide the landfill operator. Essentially, a waste classification test tells you what's in the soil and a WAC test tells you where it can go. You can't find out where it can go without first knowing what's in it.

WAC analysis (specifically leaching test results) must not be used for waste classification and hazardous waste assessment purposes. This analysis is only applicable for landfill acceptance and does not give any indication as to whether a waste may be hazardous or non-hazardous. - Waste Management 3 (WM3)

If waste is classified, through a waste classification test, as non-hazardous it may be desirable to carry out WAC testing in order to confirm the waste meets inert landfill criteria, as inert landfill disposal is generally cheaper than non-hazardous. To be accepted to inert landfill it must undergo inert WAC testing and meet certain criteria on contaminant leaching and other characteristics. If the soil waste fails a inert WAC test it cannot go to inert landfill and must be sent to non-hazardous landfill. Alternatively, if waste is classified as hazardous it must then undergo hazardous WAC testing to identify it can accepted to hazardous landfill or non-reactive hazardous landfill. If hazardous soil waste fails hazardous WAC testing then it must be treated prior to disposal, to ensure it meets the necessary criteria for hazardous landfill.

What Are The Different Types of Landfill?

Inert - Landfill for inert waste has a geological barrier but no liner and no cap and so the leaching limits for this type of landfill are much lower and the ability for human exposure must also be much lower due to the lack of capping.

Non-hazardous - Landfill for non-hazardous waste requires lining and capping but testing of the leaching values is not required under EU rules so soil waste can usually be sent to non-hazardous landfill (after classification as non-hazardous) without the need for a WAC test.

Hazardous - Landfill for hazardous waste has the highest lining and capping requirements allowing it to accept wastes with a greater leaching potential. Other pathways to human exposure are not a concern due to the capping layers. Non-reactive hazardous landfill (or a non-reactive hazardous cell within a landfill site) is less common and is often associated with soil contaminated with hazardous levels of asbestos.

How we can help - We can turnaround waste classification tests and WAC testing within days of sample collection. Waste classification and WAC testing is often carried out concurrently, to reduce the turnaround time and overall cost. Our most cost effective, and popular, option for WAC testing of waste soils is to utilise our soil testing kits. Our soil WAC testing kits provide a simple, quick, convenient and, most of all, affordable WAC testing service with analysis and a clear, easy to understand, report carried out within 6-8 working days as standard, or 3-4 working days if you opt for our fast track turnaround.

Meet Our Waste Management Consultants

Consultants - Supervised by our Chief Technical Officer, Louis Turner, our fully comprehensive WAC testing, is carried out by highly qualified consultants, combining over 30 years experience in construction waste management with recognised in-depth technical qualifications in identification of contaminated waste and environmental issues.

Management - Our wealth of experience in project management, logistics and waste management consulting allows us to provide an efficient, friendly and high quality WAC testing service for our clients. As a company, we believe that helping clients achieve their goals while simultaneously protecting the environment is a true "win-win" situation.

Partners - Our experienced, professional and qualified construction and consulting partners further extend the range of environmental and waste management services we're able to provide. Our partners provide our clients with services such as hazardous soil disposal, remediation implementation and excavation and groundwork services.

Contact Us - Contact us and let us know your requirements, alternatively, if your requirements are more complex, or you're looking for more information about our WAC testing or our company, 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. Our environmental consultants will first carry out a detailed desk study. Soil samples will be collected for analysis in our UKAS accredited laboratory. Once samples are tested we will produce a clear, easily understandable report and a report detailing the chemical properties of the soil. It may be the case that you have already carried out a waste classification test and only need a WAC test and in this case you would need to provide us with the previous lab analysis results and we can carry out the WAC test for you. We can turnaround our waste classification tests and WAC tests within days of your initial enquiry allowing you to stick to schedules and minimise any disruption to your project.

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