Soil and lawn turf
Soil disposal in the ACT is regulated by the ACT Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The soil classification and certification determine how and where soil can be disposed of. Lawn turf often accompanies soil and can be disposed of in household quantities at ACT Resource Management Centres.
Disposal options
Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM) – certified uncontaminated soil, clay, rock, sand and lawn turf.
- VENM can also be disposed to appropriately licensed construction and demolition waste recyclers in the ACT, such as:
- Tharwa Sands Ph: (02) 6254 0111
Canberra Construction Recyclers, Pialligo Ph: 6249 7427
- Household and commercial quantities of VENM and lawn turf can be taken to the following Transfer Station weighbridges without the EPA certification:
- For current pricing refer to ACT NoWaste fees
- Commercial quantities of VENM may be disposed to Mugga 2 Quarry landfill by appointment and at the discretion of the Territory.
- Further advice can be sought by emailing ACT NoWaste: tccs.wbrmc@act.gov.au
Contaminated Soil
- Some contaminated soil (i.e. topsoil or soil with organic matter) may be disposed of at appropriately licensed construction and demolition waste recyclers in the ACT, seek advice to find out if they will accept your soil:
- Tharwa Sands Ph: 6254 0111 (fees apply, and based on tonnage)
Canberra Construction Recyclers, Pialligo Ph: 6249 7427
- Under the ACT’s environmental laws and regulations, contaminated soil must be assessed by a suitably qualified environmental consultant specialising in contaminated sites assessment
- The disposal of contaminated soil in the ACT requires EPA approval
- Prior to soil disposal, a Notice of Application or Approval for Disposal to Landfill Form must be completed and taken to the weighbridge
- Fines will be issued for illegal dumping
Additional information
See the ACT Environment Protection Authority Contaminated Site information sheets:
Why?
VENM (Virgin Excavated Natural Material) is a valuable resource that can be used for fill applications including behind retaining walls, to form a foundation for gardens or under driveways. Lawn turf can be disposed of as landfill as it is generally not reusable.
Contaminated soil must be disposed of correctly to ensure harmful materials do not make their way into the environment.