When it comes to waste disposal, it’s essential to follow the rules to keep our environment safe. Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing is a way to check if waste is safe to put in different types of landfills. This process helps make sure that the waste won’t harm the environment. In this blog, we’ll explain what WAC involves, EU and Irish regulations relating to WAC, and who needs WAC testing.
What is WAC Testing?
Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing is crucial in waste management. A WAC test assesses the leaching potential of contaminants in waste. This test determines how contaminants behave when disposed of in landfills. Therefore, WAC testing guides appropriate landfill selection. The WAC test itself is not used for waste classification.
Waste must first be classified as hazardous or non-hazardous, based on its origin and composition, and assigned the correct European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code. Our Waste Classification service covers this first step. Once waste is classified, WAC testing is essential to determine the appropriate type of landfill for disposal:
- Inert Landfill: For waste with minimal leaching potential.
- Non-Hazardous Landfill: For waste that meets specific leaching criteria but does not qualify for inert landfills.
- Hazardous Landfill: For waste with higher leaching potential and stricter disposal requirements.
What Does a WAC Test Involve?
As a form of landfill testing, a WAC test combines two analyses on soils and other solid wastes. Solid analysis measures contaminants held in the waste itself. Depending on the suite, this can include total organic carbon (TOC), BTEX, PCBs, mineral oil, PAHs, pH and loss on ignition (LOI). Leachate analysis measures what washes out of the waste when it comes into contact with water. At Southern Scientific, the leachate is prepared using BS EN 12457-2, a single-stage leaching test at a 10:1 liquid-to-solid ratio. It is then analysed for metals, sulphate, total dissolved solids, phenol index and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The results are compared against the limit values for each landfill type.
What are the EU’s WAC Regulations?
As mentioned, there are inert, non-hazardous, and hazardous landfills. Waste disposal in the EU is governed by the Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC) and the Council Decision 2003/33/EC, which set up WAC. Guidelines classify waste into specific categories corresponding to a landfill type.
For each landfill type, there are limits on the amount of certain substances allowed in the waste. The table below highlights the maximum values of these substances:
WAC Testing in Ireland: Landfills and Soil Recovery Facilities
In Ireland, excavated soil and stone from construction sites is often sent to soil recovery facilities rather than landfill. Soil recovery facilities are not landfills, so the landfill WAC set out in Council Decision 2003/33/EC do not apply to them directly. Instead, the EPA’s Guidance on Waste Acceptance Criteria at Authorised Soil Recovery Facilities sets out how these sites assess incoming soil and stone. Acceptance requirements can also vary between facilities, which is why facility-specific suites, such as the RILTA and Murphy suites, are used.
Since September 2024, Ireland has phased in a €10 per tonne levy on construction and demolition (C&D) waste sent to landfill and recovery, with the final phase taking effect on 1 March 2026. Some waste streams are exempt. With disposal costs rising, accurate WAC testing helps ensure each load goes to the right facility, reducing the risk of rejected loads and unnecessary disposal costs.
Who Needs WAC Testing?
Accurate WAC testing is vital for businesses handling waste. This analysis is essential for safeguarding the environment. It ensures the safe and responsible disposal of waste. It also helps facilities avoid potential liabilities associated with improper waste disposal. As a result, WAC analysis is recommended for a wide range of industries, including:
Manufacturing Companies: Those producing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or other hazardous materials.
Construction Companies: Handling materials like concrete, asphalt, and other building substances.
C&D Contractors and Developers: Including engineers working on brownfield and contaminated sites, where excavated material must be tested before it leaves site.
Industrial Facilities: Including power plants, oil and gas refineries, and mining operations.
High-Waste Generators: Such as hospitals, laboratories, and large retail businesses.
Each of these sectors generates different types of waste. WAC testing ensures all waste is managed and disposed of correctly.
Southern Scientific’s WAC Testing
WAC testing is essential for correct waste disposal. Proper disposal helps ensure environmental protection and regulatory compliance. With over 30 years of experience, Southern Scientific is an INAB-accredited laboratory operating to ISO 17025 standards. We use the latest technology and knowledge to provide reliable WAC analysis, with rapid turnaround times and detailed reporting.
Southern Scientific provides comprehensive WAC testing suites for solid wastes, including:
- Inert Waste Suite
- Stable Non-Reactive Hazard Suite
- Hazardous Suite
- Murphy Suite
- RILTA Suite
- EPA Metals Suite
- Custom Suites
Our WAC testing process is also designed to be simple, clear, and accurate:
- Simple: Order the test you need over the phone at +353 66 976 35 88. We will send you a testing kit.
- Clear: Follow the instructions, collect your sample, and post it back to us the same day for next-day delivery.
- Accurate: Receive easy-to-understand results by email within 10 days.
Let us help you navigate waste disposal and ensure your waste is managed responsibly.
