An interview with Lindsay Killin, Regional Manager Remediation NSW / ACT, Enviropacific
Why is soil considered such a vital resource in environmental remediation and sustainability efforts?
Soil is a critical material in construction works and the fundamental growth medium for vegetation. Topsoil availability in particular poses a significant challenge in environmental restoration and remediation works, with supply for large scale rehabilitation works, such as mine-site rehabilitation often being constrained by available supply. Without a ready growth medium for vegetation, there is a risk that land becomes barren and is unable to sustain biodiverse and stable ecosystems. Furthermore, when used in construction as engineered fill, it is critical that soil composition supports geotechnical requirements required for the relevant construction, otherwise poor construction outcomes may occur, such as structural damage or failures.
Could you share specific examples of projects where contaminated soil has been successfully re-purposed or re-used, and what benefits did those projects bring to the environment or local communities/your client?
Over the past 5 years alone, Enviropacific has successfully treated over 1,000,000 tonnes of contaminated soils, thereby facilitating their beneficial reuse. Contaminants successfully treated over this period include, but are not limited to PFAS, BTEX, coal tar, chlorinated hydrocarbons, PAHs, heavy metals, scheduled wastes and asbestos.
Key benefits associated with implementation of Enviropacific’s soil treatment technologies include:
- reduced landfilling, preserving finite landfill airspace;
- significant cost savings to clients;
- reduced demand for imported materials, which reduces pressure on sourcing natural resources; and
- reduction in heavy vehicle movements and greenhouse gas emissions generated during transport of waste to landfills.
Over the past five years, how much contaminated soil do you estimate Enviropacific has diverted from landfills, and why is this achievement important for both the environment and the company’s goals?
Over the past five years Enviropacific has successfully diverted over 1,000,000 tonnes of contaminated soil from landfill. This incredible result has been achieved through application of continuous innovation, including routinely undertaking internal treatability trials and development of new remediation treatment technologies to reduce risks associated with contaminated soils and facilitate safe and beneficial reuse.
At the heart of Enviropacific’s operations is the goal of creating safer environments and sustainable communities by preventing, stopping and reversing environmental damage. By successfully treating contaminated soils and allowing beneficial reuse we are able to directly contribute to restoration of the environment, while doing so in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
What role do policies and regulations in Australia and New Zealand play in either encouraging or hindering the repurposing of contaminated soil? What changes would make a difference?
Regional policies and regulations have a material impact on the repurposing of contaminated soils. In particular, we consider higher waste levies provide a key driver for the adoption of more sustainable treatment and repurposing of contaminated soils. Conversely, within jurisdictions in which waste levies are absent or negligible, our experience is that waste is far more likely to be landfilled without treatment, as this can be more economically viable in those circumstances.
What innovative technologies or techniques in soil remediation are currently being developed or implemented, and how are they improving the efficiency of soil re-use?
At Enviropacific, we believe strongly in selecting the most effective treatment option for a particular project, rather than being tied to any specific proprietary product. Technologies successfully deployed by Enviropacific to treat soils and allow beneficial reuse include, but are not limited to thermal desorption, soil vapour extraction, chemical oxidation, chemical immobilisation/stabilisation, microencapsulation, soil washing and bioremediation.
Enviropacific routinely trial new technologies and are currently working on alternative in situ and ex situ treatment methods. The benefits of these methods include removing requirements to exhume soils for treatment, along with expansion of available technologies to more efficiently treat existing wastes, including PFAS and asbestos.
Lindsay Killin, Regional Manager ‑ Remediation NSW / ACT
