Clean fill waste is any waste material that does not undergo any chemical, physical or biological metamorphosis or alteration that may have effects that are detrimental to health and to the environment once placed in a clean fill.
Clean fill material includes:
- Virgin materials (such as soil, rock, clay)
- Inert materials (like brick and concrete)
Clean fill material does not contain potentially hazardous substances, and therefore must not be mixed with non-clean fill materials. Clean fill material is deposited in a landfill that is specifically designated for clean fill material only.
Landfilling VersusCleanFilling
A landfill is a waste disposal site that is designed for the controlled depositing of solid wastes into/onto land. The solid waste accepted at landfill sites consist of non-hazardous, solid and degradable waste from residential, commercial and industrial sources. Garden waste and putrescencewaste can also be disposed through landfilling. Over time, such waste will produce leachate and landfill gas, so a careful selection of the site is necessary.
Clean fills are low-cost alternatives to landfills. They are especially meant for inert waste which has zero negative effects on the environment. In this case, there will be no need for elaborate constructions of leachate collection systems, gas collection systems or liners.
How ToPrepareCleanFillForDisposal
The waste in a clean fill is typically derived from construction and demolition sites, so generally it consists of soil, rock, brick and concrete among other such inert waste materials. Before disposal, clean fill must be rid of:
- Liquid waste;
- Hazardous substances;
- Degradable, combustible, leachable and putrescent material;
- Products derived from hazardous waste treatment, stabilization or disposal practices;
- Materials that constitute a risk to human/animal health (like radioactive substances, asbestos, medical waste, veterinary waste).
However, consider the following guidelines also:
- Due to muddy conditions, clean fill is not accepted right after rainfall. Normally, you’ll have to wait two or three days clear without rain for the clean fill to dry out completely.
- You don’t need a permit to deposit a residential clean fill in a city landfill. Only, do not use a commercial vehicle, and the source of the waste material must be at least 30 meters away from a fueling station or dry cleaning business.
- Commercial vehicles used to deposit clean fill must acquire an approvalnumber before arriving at the disposal site.
It is advisable to work with professionals in your area if you’re looking for a suitable clean fill disposal bin size and landfill. This will ensure safe disposal that is also within the bounds of the law.