Waste Classification Testing

Waste Classification Testing - as a waste producer you have a duty of care to ensure that you have adequately classified your waste for disposal.

Waste Acceptance Criteria Testing Services

A common misconception in the industry is that Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing is used to classify waste soil, it is not.

WAC Testing

WAC testing is used to determine how a waste will behave once it’s buried in a landfill, primarily by analysis of leachates derived from that waste. So a WAC test will tell you whether it will meet the acceptance criteria of the landfill site but this is actually a separate issue from waste classification.

Waste is classified as non-hazardous or hazardous on the basis of a standard range of inorganic and organic chemical analysis, the standard list of determinants we use as a minimum to classify soil based material are as follows;

• Metals (total) As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, Zn

• Chromium (III & VI), pH, PAH (EPA16), PAH (Oil8), TPH (C5-C10, C10-C25, C25-C40)

This suite forms the basis of any waste classification. These are key contaminants without which no classification would be complete. Additional contaminants can be added if required based on type of site, site history or any other suspected contaminates that may be encountered on site.

Hazardous or Non-Hazardours Classified Waste

Once you have determined whether your waste is hazardous or non-hazardous you then have to establish an appropriate disposal route, which is when WAC testing may be required if it is necessary to remove the material to a landfill site.

In excess of 95% of Ecofficiency waste soils are removed to recycling and treatment facilities across the UK to avoid landfill and the expensive landfill tax escalator. In this instance WAC testing is unnecessary. In the event that off-site recycling options are limited due to certain contaminants (E.g. asbestos) then landfill would be the final option. If you’re intending to send your waste to a landfill site then they will require WAC analysis to determine whether it meets the restrictions of the site’s licence and how they should handle this material once it’s through their gate. Soil based materials that are considered clean non-hazardous with no sign of elevated contamination cannot technically be classed as inert without a WAC analysis. However, recycling centres and restoration sites will derive their rates based on the standard waste classification suite and equivalent inert rates will be provided.

 

 
 

Enquire about waste classification
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What our customers say

Ecofficiency’s core business value is on delivering more value whilst creating less impact on the environment. This is delivered to the customer by optimising recycling and landfill diversion through sound environmental management and innovation

Senior Buyer - Amco

Ecofficiency were proven to be very efficient throughout the remediation works and adapted swiftly to the constantly changing waste streams presented to them.

Rob Moreu – Director, ASH Remediation

Ecofficiency provided a prompt and reliable service throughout the project and were especially reactive over the blockade period where it was essential service requirements were met. The project’s success was largely due to our contractor’s cooperation and commitment to the project and I would have no hesitation in utilising Ecofficiency’s services on similar projects in the future.

C. Johnson - C Spencer Ltd

Ecofficiencys support was excellent turning around the soil testing very quickly and then organising the removal of contaminated soil the instant the results were known.

Vince Dalton – Contracts Manager, Dakin Contractors Ltd

I would like to confirm that Ecofficiency have been a supplier to The Spencer Group for a number of years. During this time they have supplied good cost effective waste management solutions up and down the country and material supply on the projects I have been involved in. I would not hesitate to recommend the Services of Ecofficiency. Well done and keep up the good work.

Wayne Gammon, Project Manager - C Spencer Ltd

Through effective on-site segregation of our waste within skips and containers, Ecofficiency increased our diversion rates whilst reducing costs. The site waste management plan they generated clearly outlined project targets and achievements from the outset.

Nigel Hatton - Tolent Construction

Ecofficiency provided an excellent service and gave us a cost effective solution for dealing with the waste removal. We were able to get copies of all documentation with little fuss through the EMS and having a site supervisor present throughout the project gave us constant updates with wagon movements and any queries we had whilst the project was ongoing. I hope there will be more projects in the near future where we can work with Ecofficiency.

Richard Spencer, Managing Director - Cordtape