How Much Does It Cost to Remove Contaminated Soil

Soil remediation and the removal of contaminated soil costs can vary greatly depending on a few different factors, and understanding these cost implications is important. At Provectus Soils Management Ltd, we provide comprehensive soil remediation services designed to offer cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions.

In this blog we have taken a look at the costs involved with contaminated soil removal, the factors which may influence costs, and the frequently asked questions surrounding the soil remediation issue.

The responsibility for cleaning up contaminated land usually lies with the party responsible for causing the contamination (in many jurisdictions known as the ‘polluter pays’ principle). But there are instances where historical contamination is present, and the original polluter may not be known or held accountable. In these cases, the responsibility often falls to the current landowner, developer, or in some cases government bodies.

For construction and development, contaminated soil which is known to be present, or unexpectedly discovered during excavation can delay works whilst a solution is sought and can result in a potential increase in development costs. Companies like Provectus play an important role by supporting these businesses by offering cost-effective soil treatment and disposal services. Our expertise and facilities allow clients to rapidly mitigate environmental risks while staying within legal and regulatory rules and regulations.

The cost of decontaminating land will depend on a variety of factors such as the type and level of contamination, the volume of material, and the location:

• Type of contamination – The nature of contaminants present will affect treatment complexity and costs. These can be such things as heavy metals, asbestos, and hydrocarbons.
• Level of contamination – Higher levels of contamination need more intensive processes which will potentially have a knock-on effect of higher costs.
• Volume of material – The larger the volume of contaminated soil, the larger the costs for transportation, treatment, and disposal.
• Location – Costs will be influenced by the distance between the site and treatment facility.

At Provectus, the costs of removing hazardous and contaminated soils range from £20/tonne to £60/tonne depending on the above factors. In comparison, landfill disposal costs can average between £120 and £160/tonne due to the impact of the prevailing rate of landfill tax and the waste hierarchy which promotes recovery of materials over disposal. This shows that soil treatment centres are a far more cost-effective choice for the disposal of contaminated soil. It’s also worth noting that our processes are exempt from landfill tax by HMRC as they are a recovery operation for beneficial reuse. These rates typically apply to gate fees only and do not include haulage costs.

Soil remediation is the process of treating, removing, or isolating contaminants in soil so that they can be recovered for beneficial reuse. The aim is to eliminate risks to health and the environment, and local ecosystems caused by hazardous substances and contaminants present in the soil.

At Provectus, we specialise in treating contaminated soil and diverting it from landfill. Our facilities enable reuse, turning treated soil into restoration grade material or cover material for the sites we operate on.

For businesses dealing with hazardous soils during construction projects, having a trusted soil treatment company like ours ensures compliance with regulations, while managing costs effectively.

Provectus Soils Management stands out as a leader in soil remediation by offering cost effective solutions which provide significant savings compared to traditional landfill disposal. As mentioned earlier prices typically range from £20-£60/tonne.

We prioritise diverting soils from landfill and repurposing them as restoration grade materials. Our Industry expertise focuses on servicing the construction industry, and we provide tailored solutions to manage a wide range of soils efficiently. Our processes meet all legal and environmental standards, which give our clients peace of mind.

Whether you are a developer, contractor, or landowner facing contaminated land, our experience will ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective soil remediation services. Contact us here to learn more about how we can assist you.