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Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC)

Submitted by Peter George on

Why

These tests are to determine the appropriate category of landfill.

What they are Not

They will not determine if a site is or is not ‘contaminated’.

This test does not categorise the soil as hazardous or non-hazardous.

Background

It is a statutory requirement in accordance with the Landfill Regulations (2005) and Waste Framework Directive (WFD) (2008/98/EC), that a waste is characterised and also meets specific Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) prior to disposal in a landfill. The waste producer has a Duty of Care to ensure that the waste is characterised and the landfill operator must also be satisfied that a Basic Characterisation, is completed before the waste is accepted.

The Environment Agency’s technical guidance ‘Waste Classification (WM3, 1st edition 2015)’ which came into force on 1st July 2015, sets out the requirement for the classification. It also provides the basis for the methodology to employ in order to ensure compliance with the regulations.

The classification assesses the composition of the material and determines the concentrations of the hazardous substances. The assessment of contaminated soil to determine whether it is hazardous waste is dependent on the presence of “hazardous substances” exceeding set levels.

Basic Waste Characterisation Testing (Air Dried Testing)

If soil from construction and remediation works are intended for disposal there is a requirement to determine if these classify as hazardous or non-hazardous. These tests will determine the levels of a range of contaminants within the soil.

Waste Acceptance Criteria Testing

Landfills are classified according to whether they can accept hazardous, non-hazardous or inert wastes. Wastes can only be accepted at a landfill if they meet the relevant waste acceptance criteria (WAC).

There are acceptance criteria for inert, stable-non-reactive hazardous and hazardous landfills.

If material is classified as non-hazardous it may be sent to an inert landfill subject to meeting inert waste acceptance levels. Where the material is classified as hazardous, WAC analysis will be required to demonstrate that it meets the acceptance levels for either hazardous landfill or stable non-reactive hazardous landfill.

WAC testing can be scheduled alongside the testing for characterisation.

Check with the landfill site if there are any other criteria that need to be met under their permit.

We are Here to Help

Call 020 8291 1354 or email with your requirements we are ready to help you achieve a cost effective solution for your site.

We are able to provide Waste Classification Reporting.

We can also provide advice for Waste Management Plans and the adoption of the CL:AIRE Definition of Waste: Development Industry Code of Practice.

Please contact us to discuss your sampling and testing requirements.