From waste status to valuable resource
This website presents the results of a project initiated by the Capital Region of Denmark in collaboration with Danish Association of Construction Clients. Sweco Denmark A/S and NIRAS A/S have contributed as technical consultants.
The purpose of the project has been to initiate and test innovative ideas and technologies with regards to sustainable use of excavated soil from construction activities etc.
The project consisted of 9 subprojects:
- Authorization of soil samplers
- Planning methods
- Local soil reuse
- Website for soil dating
- Soil treatment (download report in Danish)
- Reuse of topsoil on agricultural areas (download report in Danish)
- Health landscapes
- Using soil for adaptation to climate change
- Using soil in energy systems (download report in Danish)
Each subproject was based on a partnership comprising both private and public companies, authorities and institutions. See list of all partners who have participated.
Authorization of soil samplers
The purpose of this subproject is to secure a uniform way of soil sampling in order to ensure reliable characterization of soil.
Planning methods
The purpose of this subproject is to develop planning tools for dealing with excavated soil in the early planning phase of a construction project, where timeframe allows for investigation of multiple options for soil use as opposed to last minute decisions which often lead to offsite disposal and transport to distant locations.
Local soil reuse
Using the urban planning of Vinge (a 370-hectare urban development project) as a case, this subproject examined options for local reuse of excavated soil from construction sites, rather than transporting excavated soil to offsite destinations.
Website for soil dating
This subproject developed a website for soil dating (jordbasen.dk) based on a platform for exchange of soil, allowing companies with excess soil to meet up with companies in need of soil and vice versa.
Soil treatment
Using excavated soil locally may require a technical treatment, giving the soil specific geotechnical properties. This subproject identifies and describes techniques and methods for treatment of soil.
Reuse of topsoil on farmland
This subproject examines how uncontaminated topsoil can be reused on farmland in a viable and sustainable way.
Health landscapes
This subproject examines reuse of excavated soil by creating temporary (or permanent) health landscapes, especially designed with regards to physical exercises: walking, running or biking etc.
Using soil for adaptation to climate change
This subproject examines options for local reuse of soil in adaptation to climate change.
Using soil in energy systems
In this subproject possibilities of using soil in systems for storing and generating renewable energy in former gravel pits have been examined.
More information
The project are included in the EEA - European Environment Agency report: Soil resource efficiency in urbanised areas - analytical framework and implications for governance (p. 72-73).
For more information, please send a mail to:
raastoffer@regionh.dk (Capital Region of Denmark), att. Mr. Jens Lind Gregersen
info@bygherreforeningen.dk (Danish Association of Construction Clients), att. Mr. Graves Simonsen