EPA National Criteria to Help Reduce Construction Waste
The Environmental Protection Agency has published National By-product Criteria for Greenfield Soil and Stone. This allows for the classification of greenfield soil and stone as a by-product, meaning that it does not become waste. Soil and Stone that would normally be classified as waste becomes part of a circular economy where by-products from one site can be reused in another, for example in landscaping or the reprofiling of land.
This publication comes after a significant increase in construction and demolition waste was recorded between 2013 and 2021. The criteria in this publication aim to combat unnecessary waste growth in this country, especially from construction and industry.
Speaking about the publication of the criteria, David Flynn, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability, said:
“Construction is the largest generator of waste in our country, in the region of 9 million tonnes annually with the bulk of this being soil and stone waste. Embracing new approaches to design, materials choice and modern methods of construction will shift the sector onto a more sustainable path.
Today, the EPA is streamlining the regulation of construction materials to promote the reuse of useful soil and stone that would traditionally end up as a waste. This opens up more opportunities for safe reuse, and offers greater regulatory certainty to the industry and stakeholders while ensuring appropriate safeguards remain in place.”
Also commenting on the criteria, Warren Phelan, Programme Manager of the EPA’s Circular Economy Programme noted:
“These criteria present a real and meaningful opportunity for the construction sector to follow a simple set of rules and in doing so reduce soil waste from sites and make tangible savings. These latest criteria are the third in a series of national decisions introduced by the EPA to support improved material circularity in the construction sector”.
Further information on the criteria can be accessed here
