Case Study: Waste Classification.
Location: Waterfront Edinburgh.
Download: waste-classification.pdf

Brief

IKM Consulting Ltd was appointed to conduct a waste classification of a proposed mixed residential and commercial site prior to development at a large urban regeneration project in Edinburgh. Approximately 5000m3 of material required to be removed to reshape the site.

It was necessary to carry out an intrusive sampling exercise, to collect samples for waste classification testing, at the site which had previously had a site investigation carried out. This did not disclose any significant contamination. Supervision of the earthworks, followed by validation of the site was then carried out.

Solution

IKM made use of laboratory testing to ascertain the waste classification of the material for offsite disposal.

IKM then supervised the removal of the soil on behalf of our client and undertook on-site chemical analysis to provide a more complete picture of the site. The increased number of samples that can be tested on-site reduces uncertainties across the site in comparison to laboratory based testing alone.

On completion of the soil removal, validation samples were collected to confirm the site was suitable for development for the proposed end use.

Outcome

The on-site tests confirmed the material was suitable for disposal at the predetermined waste classification, and allowed the base to be tested while machinery was on-site to allow any contaminated material to be removed immediately. This would have been impossible using a traditional laboratory approach.

On-site testing contributed to this project being completed under budget and with little risk of remobilisation due to elevated concentrations in the validation results.