Working on a gardening or construction project is an exciting prospect. But the chances are you will have excess soil left over afterwards. The issue then arises of what to do with it.
If you leave it too long, then it becomes an eyesore and weeds start to grow. If that soil then becomes wet, then it can be more difficult to move about and is notoriously messy.
With garden waste, and especially soil, you can’t just dump it anywhere. It is important that it is disposed of safely and legally.
The following guide informs you how to get rid of your soil cheaply, quickly and with minimal fuss, whilst ensuring you fully comply with the law and do not endanger the lives of others.
What are the different options for soil removal?
Similar to rubble removal services, when it comes to soil removal, you have a number of different options to choose from.
Use a soil removal service
By far the easiest, and most convenient option, is to organise for a soil removal service company like us to sort it for you.
We will come and collect it for you, deal with the disposal and you won’t have to lift a finger.
If you do opt for soil removal service, then you must ensure the company is licensed to remove and dispose of garden waste, plus is licensed with the Environment Agency.
Both of these apply to us, saving you time having to check – so you can be safe in the knowledge that you are getting an authentic, reliable company to come and remove your unwanted soil for you.
Here at RecycleZone, we will also ensure that your soil is disposed of in accordance with government legislation. Environmental considerations are also high on our agenda. We have a genuine commitment to recycle and aim to compost as much garden waste as possible.
Hire a skip
Your other option for soil removal is to consider hiring a skip. This means you can load it at a time that is convenient to you, but it does mean you will need to do the heavy lifting.
Once your skip is filled, you will need to contact the company you hired it from to come and collect it.
Not only is this a more expensive option compared to our soil removal service, it is also a less sustainable option as the waste will end up in landfill and won’t recycled.
Use the excess soil for a DIY project
If you have a small amount of soil left over from your garden, then you could choose to take on a DIY project, such as creating a new flower bed or for potting plants.
You may even decide to fill in areas of the garden that are uneven, or build up areas of the garden for more protection or as a landscape feature.
If you are intending on using it for planting, then make sure it is suitable for the plants you wish to grow and is of high enough quality. You can always add natural fertilisers to the soil to improve the nutrient content, but this is an additional cost to factor in.
However, you may find that you have too much and can’t use it all, in which case give us a call and we will come and pick up what you do not use.
Advertise the excess soil for collection
As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and this is definitely the case with soil.
You could advertise locally to people who may have a need for it. Start with your neighbours and friends to see if anyone is thinking of doing a landscaping project. However, you are relying on people coming to pick it up themselves, unless of course you want to start delivering it to them.
If you live in a rural area, then a local farmer might be interested. Even if it is low-quality soil, they will probably have some use for it as well as access to machinery to help move it.
Can soil be dumped anywhere?
Due to UK dumping laws, it is illegal to leave soil just anywhere. If you do soyou are liable to be prosecuted and could receive a fine.
You will need to obtain an environmental permit from the Environment Agency for any form of waste recovery, treatment or disposal.
Can you take excess soil to the tip?
Most household waste recycling centres will accept soil, however many now have charges and restrictions on the amount you can take.
If you do decide to take your excess soil to the tip, you would be advised to contact your local centre beforehand to find out what their charges are and how much you can take.
You will also need a suitable vehicle to transport the soil too, as well as soil bags to contain it.
Can I put soil in the general waste bin?
Some people think that it is acceptable to throw it in the general waste, but this is not the case.
You are not allowed to mix garden and domestic waste. If this happens, then your local refuse collection will not empty your bin and you will be left to dispose of it yourself.
You can dispose of some soil in your garden waste bin. However, this is for very small amounts and has to be mixed in with other normal garden waste.
What are the benefits of using a soil removal service?
Removing excess soil by yourself is heavy, bulky and messy. Not only do you need the correct machinery to move the soil, you also need a suitable vehicle to transport it afterwards.
With using our service, this is something you do not need to worry about. We have a fleet of vehicles on hand to come and collect your soil regardless of the amount.
Our team of workers have years of experience in this line of work, saving you time and back-breaking physical exertion.
The other main benefit of using a soil removal service like ours, is that it is simple, convenient and hassle-free. Simply contact us, tell us how much there is and we will sort out the rest, giving you more time to spend on other things.
If you want to find out more about us, and the services that we offer, please do not hesitate to get in contact for a free, no-obligation quote and see for yourself how easy we can make the soil removal process.