Definition of waste: Code of practice

The Definition of Waste: Code of practice (DoW:CoP) was launched in September 2008 by the independent research group Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments (CL:AIRE). It is used to support and enhance the sustainability and cost-efficiency of land remediation and development projects.

It has been used to provide a consistent and efficient process for the reuse of excavated materials, such as the direct transfer of clean, naturally-occurring soil materials between sites. It also relates to the conditions required to support fixed soil treatment facilities, and the reuse of both contaminated and uncontaminated materials.

The basic steps outlined in the document are:

• Ensure an adequate Materials Management Plan (MMP) is in place.
• Ensure the MMP is based on an appropriate risk assessment.
• Ensure materials are treated and used as set out in the MMP (as demonstrated in a subsequent Verification Report).

A qualified person must provide a declaration to the Environment Agency (EA) before the use of such materials (Site of Origin scenario) or before dispatch (Direct and Cluster scenarios).

The EA may conclude that the materials are waste if they are not used in accordance with the MMP and risk assessment.

For more information, see CL:AIRE.

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