Valuing excavated soils from construction sites in Wallonia. Environmental requirements and expected developments.
Published on 17 April 2017
Publication
Circular economy is gaining increasing attention. In Europe, the management and valorization of excavated soils from civil engineering works are attempting to follow the principles of this new economic model. However, this approach is not easy, as it operates according to rules specific to each country, or even each region. This was highlighted in a comparative study of practices in seven European countries conducted in 2017. To achieve circular economy goals, changes are essential.
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In Wallonia, the June 14, 2001 decree sets environmental requirements for the valorization of excavated earth from construction sites. Nearly 70% of the earth does not meet the criteria for non-contaminated land (TNC) and cannot be used without prior treatment. In comparison, only 40% of excavated earth in Flanders is considered contaminated. Wallonia has stricter pollution thresholds, and some pollutants frequently exceed the allowed limits. A study commissioned by the CRR and CSTC proposes revisions to the current thresholds, suggesting that many sites would become compliant with the new criteria. However, there is currently a lack of sites for storing non-compliant earth in Wallonia.