Contaminated soils and hazardous waste, removed safely
From brownfield development sites to demolition rubble and made ground, we excavate, remove and dispose of contaminated soils and hazardous waste safely and legally, so your project can move forward with confidence.
Why developers choose SAR
- Licensed & insured specialistsExperienced teams for contaminated soils, rubble and made ground.
- Working alongside your groundworksWe plan around your programme to keep the site moving.
- UKAS-accredited analysisSoil sampling and testing by accredited laboratories.
- Legal, traceable disposalHazardous waste removed with full consignment paperwork.
What’s hiding in the ground?
Brownfield and redevelopment sites often contain contaminated soils left behind by former industrial use, demolished buildings, fly-tipping or old fill and made ground. Contaminants can include asbestos, hydrocarbons such as oil and fuel, heavy metals, tars and other hazardous materials.
Once groundworks start, disturbing contaminated soil can put workers, neighbours and the environment at risk. We assess what’s there, put the right controls in place and remove the contaminated soils and hazardous waste, so your site is safe and ready for the next stage.
A complete contaminated land service
Site investigation & sampling
Trial pits, soil sampling and inspection to find out what contamination is present, where it is and how much there is, with analysis by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
Hand-picking & surface clearance
Careful removal of visible contaminants and hazardous debris from the surface and stockpiles, where that’s the safest and most cost-effective option.
Excavation & removal
Controlled excavation of contaminated soils and made ground, with damping down, segregation and the correct PPE and decontamination for every operative.
Air & perimeter monitoring
Monitoring during the works to make sure dust and fibres are not leaving the site, giving you and your neighbours peace of mind.
Waste classification & disposal
Correct classification of soils and hazardous waste, lined skips and disposal at a permitted site, with consignment notes for your records.
Clearance & validation
Post-works inspection and validation sampling, with a completion report you can pass to your client, consultant or local authority.
Controls you can see
Every contaminated land job starts with a risk assessment and a plan of work. On site, the work area is fenced off, clearly signed and kept under control from the first day to the last, so only trained, protected people go near the contaminated soils.
- Secure Heras fencing and signage
- Respirator and exclusion zones
- Decontamination facilities
- Dust suppression and damping down
- Spill kits and emergency procedures
- Daily site checks and records
Recent contaminated land work
Doing it by the book
Waste classification
Contaminated soils must be classified before they leave site, using the UK’s WM3 waste classification guidance. Soils classed as hazardous waste have to go to a suitably permitted site, with consignment notes kept for your records.
Duty of care
Everyone who produces, moves or disposes of waste has a legal duty of care to make sure it’s handled safely and ends up in the right place. We give you a clear paper trail from your site to the final disposal point.
Asbestos in soil
Where asbestos is found, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 apply, and CL:AIRE’s CAR-SOIL guidance sets out how the work should be planned. As licensed asbestos specialists, we can deal with it as part of the same job.
Found something unexpected? If suspect material or contamination turns up during groundworks, stop work in that area, keep people away and call us on 0800 448 0461. We can get to site, assess the material and advise on next steps.
From first call to clean site
- Step 01
Get in touch
Tell us about the site, any reports you already have and your programme.
- Step 02
Investigate & quote
We review the site, take samples where needed and give you a clear quote.
- Step 03
Plan the work
Risk assessment, plan of work and site set-up agreed around your groundworks.
- Step 04
Remove & monitor
Contaminated soils and hazardous waste removed under controlled conditions, with monitoring.
- Step 05
Dispose & validate
Legal disposal, validation sampling and a completion report for your records.
Trusted on sites across the UK
Whether it’s a single housing plot or a large brownfield regeneration scheme, we work as part of your project team, from early site investigation through to the final validation report.
Got a contaminated site? Let’s talk.
Tell us about your site and programme, and we’ll arrange a visit and a free, no-obligation quote. We’re available by phone, email, WhatsApp or our enquiry form, and we look forward to helping you.