Did you know that 58% of the tonnage received by landfills is soil waste? This figure represents the scale of the challenge in front of us if we are to protect our precious soils and achieve sustainable resource management. The good news is that there already exists a wealth of good practice on how best to reuse, recover and recycle soil material – we just need to ensure this reaches those who work with these valuable materials on a daily basis. That’s where the Society for the Environment (SocEnv) Soils and Stones project comes in. Since 2019, the project has brought together experts from across sectors including construction, forestry, engineering, land management and agriculture.

In this CPD session, project lead Martin Ballard CEnv CMgr FIEMA highlights case studies and codes of practice for soil reuse, soil health and ecological protection, including the Definition of Waste: Code of Practice (DoW CoP) and ten principles of good soils and stones management. In doing so, he demonstrates the power of cross-sector collaboration to the benefit of our industry and the environment.

Members gain 1 CIOB CPD point when you reflect on the ethical aspects of your learning from this activity.