Disposal to Land.
Sustainable Soil Disposal: Swift Soil Quality Investigations (SQI) for Development
Manage your surplus soil efficiently and sustainably while maintaining full adherence to Ministry for the Environment and WasteMINZ guidelines
The Challenge of Surplus Soil Management
During residential intensification and development projects, managing surplus soil is a critical, often complex hurdle. Improper disposal can lead to fines, project delays, and environmental liability.
SQN GeoSciences provides swift and efficient Soil Quality Investigation (SQI) services, identifying the most sustainable and compliant offsite disposal options for your soil, from 'Clean Fill' to 'Managed Fill' facilities.
Our Soil Disposal Process: The SQI Pathway .
Step 1: Soil Quality Investigation (SQI)
The essential investigative step that determines the quality and compliance class of your surplus soil.
Can be conducted in situ (before earthworks) or on existing soil stockpiles excavated from development areas.
All investigations strictly adhere to the Ministry for the Environment and WasteMINZ land disposal guidelines.
Provides definitive data to assess various offsite disposal options.
Step 2: Offsite Disposal Strategy
Based on the SQI results, we guide your disposal strategy to the most appropriate destination:
Clean Fill
Soil suitable for unrestricted reuse.
Managed Fill
Eco-friendly alternative for certain soil types.
Landfills
Used only for non-compliant soil.
End-to-End Managed Fill Facility Expertise
SQN GeoSciences has played a pivotal role in establishing and consenting several Managed Fill facilities across New Zealand.
Our Services for Facility Operators & Developers:
Waste Acceptance Criteria
Determine site-specific soil acceptance standards.
Compliance Consenting
Negotiation with Territorial Authorities to secure the necessary Resource Consents for facility operation.
Discharge Compliance
Ensuring full compliance with Resource Management Act (RMA) regulations governing discharges into streams, surface waters, and groundwater.
Monitoring Regimes
Establishment and execution of comprehensive fill management procedures and discharge monitoring.
Specialist Services for Land & Water
Soil Quality Investigations (SQI)
Determines the most cost-effective and compliant disposal route for your surplus soil.
Water Quality Investigations
Assessing and monitoring surface water and groundwater quality in relation to discharge activities.
Discharge Advice & Monitoring
Providing expert advice and monitoring services for assessing any discharges from a site.
Frequently asked questions
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An SQI is a critical investigation that determines the quality and compliance classification of your surplus soil. You need it because regulatory guidelines (like the NES and WasteMINZ) require evidence that soil is disposed of safely and correctly based on its contaminant status. It's the first step to legally and efficiently moving your soil offsite.
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We conduct all SQIs in strict adherence to the latest Ministry for the Environment and WasteMINZ guidelines for land disposal. Our reports provide the legally defensible data required by managed fill facilities and territorial authorities.
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Yes. We can conduct the investigation in situ (before you start earthworks) to aid in planning, or we can sample from existing soil stockpiles excavated from the development area.