When dealing with soil and waste material, one term that can often come up is WAC testing. But what exactly is WAC testing and why do you need to do it?
Waste Acceptance Criteria Testing (WAC)
WAC testing is a mandatory test. That is used to identify whether the soil or material that is being tested will be accepted by a specific type of landfill site. – inert, non-hazardous, or hazardous. The WAC test includes both solid and leachate testing and provides information about how the soil will behave once it has been deposited in the landfill. This can include the level of contamination that could potentially leach into the surrounding landscape and water. As well as how organic the material is by testing for some key contaminants.
Although a WAC test will specify whether the soil that has been sampled would be accepted by a landfill, it cannot be used to classify the waste itself. The classification of the soil must be completed before the WAC test takes place. Which can be achieved by completing an Initial Waste Classification test.
Different Types of Tests
There are three different types of WAC test that can be completed – inert, hazardous and stable non-reactive hazardous. Alternatively, a full suite WAC test can be performed, including the testing for all three different types of WAC test.
The type of WAC test you will require depends upon the initial classification of the soil. If the soil is classified as non-hazardous, this can then be submitted for an inert WAC test. If the soil passes the inert WAC test requirements, then it can be disposed of in an inert landfill. Alternatively, if it fails the inert WAC test then it will not be accepted at an inert landfill and must be disposed of in a non-hazardous landfill instead.
In a similar manner, if the soil is initially classified as hazardous it should pass a hazardous WAC test in order to be disposed of in a hazardous landfill. If the soil fails the requirements of the hazardous WAC test. Then it will not be able to be disposed of in any landfill and must receive the appropriate treatment and further WAC tests to ensure that it falls within hazardous WAC test leachate limits.
Contact Us
Find out more about our soil testing & analysis or get in touch to talk to one of our client managers. Our professional and experienced team will be happy to assist you in any way.
Landscape Design – The Benefits
Considering the benefits of Landscape Design?
If you’re looking for a change and thinking of having some landscaping work completed on your garden. It can often feel overwhelming when considering all of the different possibilities. Do you choose to have a new lawn or a new patio? What type of paving should you choose? What would look best in your garden, wooden sleeper walls or brick?
Landscape designs can be the perfect solution in this situation. Providing you with a visual representation of what your
garden would look like upon completion. It will also give you the opportunity to try out different construction materials and design styles, before the work even starts. Landscape designs can come both in three-dimensional or two-dimensional formats, depending upon what you require and what will help you to visualise the end result most effectively.
For those looking for an immersive experience, ProHort’s landscape design service allows you to take a virtual walk through your completed project, using our CAD design software. This provides you with the exciting opportunity to get a really detailed idea of what your garden will look like. As well as allowing you to make live alterations to the design.
Additional Benefits
As well as providing you with an idea of what your garden will look like. Landscape designs have further additional benefits. These benefits can include promoting drainage of the site which is particularly important in gardens that are generally wet or boggy. The design can also be tailored to encourage the presence of local wildlife and flora or to lower the maintenance requirements so that the end result is easy to look after. It all depends on what you want and need from your garden.
Want to find out more about the landscape design service that ProHort can offer you? Alternatively, why not get in touch and one of our designers can walk you through the process.
~ Emma Candlin
The Environmental Impact of Bats and Birds in your Garden
Bats and birds in your garden are very common, of any shape and size, preferring to live and nest in established trees. Here are why bats and birds are important residents in your garden:
Firstly, bats play a role in successful pollination of over 500 plant species – including but not limited to mango, banana, guava and other tropical fruit, as well as a variety of flowers. While these plants are not indigenous to the UK, many bats will migrate for the colder winter months, and will play a role pollinating these plants elsewhere across Europe.
Birds also play an important role in doing this – around 5% of the plants that humans use for food or medicine are pollinated by birds. Birds also carry the seeds they have ingested and disperse them through their droppings – this helps our forests and marshes thrive.
All UK based bats are insectivores – they eat only insects. Bats can help keep insects away from crops but also enjoy eating gnats and mosquitos, helping to keep these pests at bay in the summer. Many common garden birds will also eat insects and help keep these pests at bay.
Finally, both bats and birds are indicators of good ecological health. Bats and birds are both sensitive to changes in temperature, weather and other environmental factors – having bats and birds present in your garden shows that your garden is healthy and thriving.
ProHort Ltd, as part of our tree survey service, will identify whether trees or hedgerows on a property have any suitable features for nesting bats and birds. We would recommend completing a tree survey ahead of any building work. It is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb roosting bats, destroy a habitat suitable for bat roosting, or obstruct access to a bat roost.
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3D Landscape Designs Manchester
3D Landscape Designs Manchester are intended to be a conceptual design and are a perfect visual representation of how your project will look upon completion. If you have a project in Manchester. A 3D landscape design will give you the opportunity to take a virtual walk around your project, before any work begins.
How Does It Work?
Our design consultants will arrange to meet you at your property. During this visit, measurements and photographs of the existing site will be taken to assit with your 3D Landscape Design. It is at this visit that we will begin to discuss the requirements and your ideas for the project.
3D Landscape Designs – CAD Consultation
Our landscape designer will then begin designing and creating your landscape visualisation, based on your project requirements. Upon completion, you will be invited to attend a CAD consultation at our office. To view the design and begin your visual walk through.
Completion
Once you have signed off on you 3D landscape design. You will be issued with a digital pack in the form of a PDF. Consisting of multiple angles to encompass all design features.
Pro Hort Limited predominantly work with commercial clients, not only in the Manchester area but nationwide. If you would like any information on private landscape designs. We work with Blue Iris Landscapes for all private garden designs.
If you require any further information, regarding our 3D Landscape Designs in the Manchester, Derbyshire, Cheshire or Staffordshire areas. Contact us on 01782 479 479
3D Landscape Designs Manchester are intended to be a conceptual design and are a perfect visual representation of how your project will look upon completion. If you have a project in Manchester. A 3D landscape design will give you the opportunity to take a virtual walk around your project, before any work begins.