Prevent soil damage during construction projects
Introduction
Soil is a fundamental and irreplaceable natural resource. Its key functions include providing food and raw materials, supporting wildlife and regulating the flow of water.
Despite its importance, the management of soil has often not been given consideration during construction and landscaping projects. Poor understanding of soil management during the construction process has led to problems of soil infertility and compaction, valuable topsoil being sent to landfill, and led to some developed areas being prone to flooding.
Taking steps to ensure good soil management can help your business cut costs and improve its image and environmental performance.
This guide summarises the key pressures on soils in the built environment and the benefits of managing them sustainably. It includes good practice techniques for stripping, stockpiling and spreading soil. It also contains guidance on sourcing and manufacturing topsoil, soil aftercare, and finding sustainable uses for surplus topsoil.
You can also download a code of practice for soil use on construction sites (PDF, 737K).