Before WAC testing can be performed on soil waste, a ‘waste classification test’ will need to be done. Such waste materials can be classified as either hazardous or non-hazardous.
The Environment Agency’s technical guidance, ‘Waste Classification (WM3, 1st edition 2015)’, came into force on 1st July 2015, and outlines the classification requirements. It also provides the basis for the methodology that should be used to ensure compliance with the regulations.
This waste classification process focuses on the composition of the material, and determines the concentrations of the hazardous substances in the material. Whether or not contaminated soil (excavated soil) is determined to be hazardous waste, depends on whether the hazardous substances in the soil exceed certain thresholds.