Excavated soil generation, treatment and reuse in the EU
Did you know that most of the soil dug up in Europe could be reused instead of wasted—saving money and the environment at the same time?
Healthy soils are very valuable, but they take hundreds of years to form. In the European Union, a huge amount of soil is excavated every year, mainly by the construction sector. Most of this soil is not hazardous, and about 75% is reused or recycled, for example as backfill for construction sites. Only a quarter ends up in landfills.
Clean soil that stays on the same site is not considered waste and does not have to follow strict waste rules. However, if soil is contaminated or moved to another location, strict regulations apply. Each EU country has its own approach, which leads to differences in how excavated soil is managed. A recent report of the European Commission focusses on the current situation in the EU Member States and the economic impact of such regulation.
The best practice is to only excavate what is necessary, keep clean and contaminated soil separate, and reuse soil on-site whenever possible. Testing is important to check if soil is clean or polluted. Contaminated soil can be treated with special techniques, but this can be expensive.
Transporting soil is costly and has a negative impact on the environment, so local reuse is preferred. Good documentation and tracking—such as “soil passports”—help ensure soil is handled safely and responsibly.
Managing excavated soil involves costs for testing, transport, and treatment, but reusing soil can save money on landfill fees and reduce the need to buy new soil. Challenges remain, such as differences in national rules, high costs for treating polluted soil, and the fact that not all soil movements are tracked.
The main goal in the EU is to reuse excavated soil as much as possible, reduce waste, and protect the environment. Good management means testing, treating, and tracking soil, and following the rules.
Read more in the report by the European Commission, which provides an understanding of the current state-of-play in reuse and disposal of excavated soils across Europe, considering the economic factors that influence the management of excavated soils and looking at the potential for sustainable soil management.
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