WAC testing, or Waste Acceptance Criteria testing, is a laboratory analysis used to determine how a particular waste material, such as contaminated soil, will behave when deposited in a landfill. It helps identify the appropriate landfill type — inert, non-hazardous, or hazardous — that can safely accept the waste. The test analyses both the solid composition and the leachability (the ability of contaminants to leach out into groundwater), ensuring the waste complies with environmental regulations and landfill acceptance limits.

When is WAC testing required?

WAC testing is typically required after waste classification has been completed and the material has been determined to be either hazardous or non-hazardous. It is not used to classify the waste, but rather to assess whether it meets the specific criteria for disposal at a given landfill type. This is especially important for construction, demolition, and remediation projects where soil or other materials are being removed from site and need to be sent to a compliant landfill.

What does WAC testing involve?

The WAC test involves a detailed laboratory assessment of the waste sample. It usually includes two main parts: Solid analysis: testing for contaminants such as metals, hydrocarbons, asbestos, and organic compounds present in the material. Leachate analysis: simulating how these contaminants might behave if exposed to water in a landfill environment, to determine whether they could leach into surrounding soil or groundwater. The results of these analyses are compared against regulatory limits set for different landfill categories to identify the most suitable disposal route.

Why is WAC testing important?

WAC testing is essential for ensuring that waste is disposed of safely, cost-effectively, and in compliance with UK environmental legislation. Without accurate WAC testing, waste could be sent to the wrong landfill category, resulting in regulatory breaches or unnecessarily high disposal costs. Proper WAC testing helps to minimise environmental risk, reduce potential contamination, and demonstrate due diligence during construction or remediation projects.

Can WAC testing determine whether waste is hazardous?

No. WAC testing does not determine if a waste is hazardous or non-hazardous — that is established through waste classification analysis under the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) and Hazardous Waste Regulations. Instead, WAC testing is used to assess how the waste behaves once classified, and whether it meets the acceptance criteria for specific landfill sites. In short, waste classification identifies what the waste is, while WAC testing determines where it can go.

What types of waste require WAC testing?

WAC testing is commonly required for soils, construction waste, and materials arising from brownfield redevelopment, demolition, or site remediation works. It is particularly relevant when dealing with materials that could contain contaminants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or asbestos. Any waste intended for landfill disposal should undergo WAC testing to confirm it meets the acceptance limits for the chosen landfill category.

How long does WAC testing take?

The turnaround time for WAC testing typically ranges from 5 to 10 working days, depending on laboratory capacity and the complexity of the samples. However, many service providers offer an express option for urgent projects. To avoid delays, it’s important to ensure that soil samples are collected correctly and sent promptly to an accredited laboratory.

How can WAC testing benefit my project?

WAC testing can lead to significant cost savings and smoother waste management planning. By accurately identifying the correct landfill type, you avoid sending material to a more expensive or unsuitable facility. It also ensures full regulatory compliance, reduces environmental impact, and supports responsible waste management practices — all of which are vital for demonstrating due diligence to regulators and clients alike.

WAC Testing (Waste Acceptance Criteria)

Providing WAC testing services as part of our specialist asbestos contaminated land and soil service

Oracle Asbestos Solutions is a leading specialist in managing asbestos-contaminated land and soil. With extensive expertise in environmental consultancy and waste management, we provide comprehensive WAC testing services to ensure your soil waste complies with all regulatory requirements. Our dedicated team offers precise laboratory analysis and expert advice to help you achieve safe management and cost-effective disposal of contaminated materials, supporting your project’s regulatory compliance and environmental goals.

If the project that you are overseeing entails the management of land contaminated with asbestos, it is important for you to be aware of the various legal processes and requirements involved – including Waste Acceptance Criteria testing, otherwise known as WAC testing. This is something that Oracle Solutions carries out as part of our specialist asbestos contaminated land and soil service, and we carry out WAC testing to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.

What is Waste Acceptance Criteria?

Image of a scientist in a white lab coat carrying out WAC Testing Analysis with several glass bottles in a laboratory near large windows. The WAC (Waste Acceptance Criteria), originated as part of the UK government’s drive to reduce dependence on landfill as a disposal option, as well as to minimise landfill’s environmental and human health impact.

These concerns have led to the introduction of increasingly stringent regulatory procedures over the years. The Landfill Regulations (2005) and Waste Framework Directive (WFD) (2008/98/EC) put in place a statutory requirement for waste to be categorised, classify the waste as hazardous or non-hazardous, and identify its properties to meet specific WAC, before it is disposed of at a landfill site. The Environment Agency is the regulatory authority overseeing waste classification and landfill acceptance.

For the waste producer, there is a ‘Duty of Care’ to ensure the waste is categorised. Meanwhile, a landfill operator must be satisfied that a ‘basic characterisation’ has been properly completed before it accepts the waste. Proper classifying of waste before disposal is essential for regulatory compliance and cost-effective waste management.

What are the classifications of waste?

Image of a asbestos surveyor in a blue protective suit and gloves examining asbestos in soil samples on a plastic sheet using a digital scale. Before WAC testing can be performed on soil waste, a ‘waste classification test’ will need to be done. Such waste materials, including waste soil, can be classified as either hazardous or non-hazardous waste.

The Environment Agency’s technical guidance, ‘Waste Classification (WM3, 1st edition 2015)‘, came into force on 1st July 2015, and outlines the classification requirements. These requirements apply to various types of wastes, each of which must be properly classified before disposal.

This waste classification process focuses on the composition of the material, and determines the concentrations of the hazardous substances in the material. The assessment also considers whether the material contains hazardous materials that require special handling and disposal. Whether or not contaminated soil (excavated soil) is determined to be hazardous, depends on whether the hazardous substances in the soil exceed certain thresholds.

What is a WAC test for soil?

The WAC became mandatory in 2005, when the Landfill Regulations were introduced. WAC testing is undertaken to determine how soil will behave if it is buried at landfill, and WAC testing is required when waste needs to be assessed for acceptance at specific landfill types based on its classification and leaching characteristics.

There are several classifications of landfill site, depending on whether they can accept hazardous or non-hazardous waste or inert waste. These landfill sites include hazardous landfill sites, which are specifically designed to securely accept dangerous waste types such as asbestos and other hazardous materials. Waste can therefore only be accepted at a landfill if it meets the waste acceptance criteria (WAC) for that particular class of landfill. These criteria include leaching limits, which are regulatory thresholds that determine whether waste can be accepted at inert, non-hazardous, or hazardous landfill sites.

Solids and leachate testing are carried out during the WAC testing process to assess the class of landfill that the waste in question can be accepted at. During this process, samples are collected from the waste, and the number of samples required depends on site-specific factors and previous test results to ensure accurate contaminant assessment.

Laboratory analysis is then performed to assess the class of landfill, where the collected samples are tested using a range of tests to identify contaminants and determine the appropriate disposal route.

If the soil waste has been classified as non-hazardous and the waste producer wishes to send it to inert landfill rather than non-hazardous waste landfill – which may be desirable due to inert landfill being cheaper than non-hazardous waste landfill – ‘inert WAC testing’ will be needed to determine whether it can be accepted for inert landfill. WAC tests in this context are essential for determining landfill options and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. This particular criteria testing will focus on contaminant leaching and other characteristics. If the waste fails this test, it will have to go to non-hazardous landfill.

Alternatively, if the waste has been classified as hazardous waste, it will have to undergo ‘hazardous WAC testing’ to determine whether it can be accepted to hazardous waste landfill. After hazardous WAC testing, the results will dictate the appropriate landfill disposal route for the waste. Hazardous soil waste that fails this test will need to be treated until it fulfils the necessary criteria for hazardous landfill.

Is WAC testing mandatory?

Image of a laboratory technician wearing a white coat and blue gloves using scientific equipment on a countertop with various bottles in order to carry out WAC Testing analysis. Waste classified as non-hazardous doesn’t require WAC testing unless disposal at an inert landfill is being considered; once classified, the waste disposed of as non-hazardous can follow standard landfill procedures. Otherwise, it can be sent to a non-hazardous landfill, with the process of disposing of such waste following regulatory guidelines for non-hazardous materials. If, however, the material has been classified as hazardous, WAC testing will be needed to demonstrate that it meets the acceptance levels for hazardous landfill or stable non-reactive hazardous (SNRL) landfill, ensuring you legally dispose of hazardous waste in compliance with environmental regulations.

What does WAC testing entail for asbestos-contaminated land?

There are generally three stages of testing when it comes to asbestos-contaminated soil waste. Asbestos waste, which includes soil or materials classified as hazardous due to the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM), must be properly identified and managed according to strict regulations for classification and disposal. The first of these is the soil screening that enables basic identification of the asbestos, followed by gravimetric analysis to determine the percentage of asbestos by weight. In the event of the determined percentage of asbestos being below 0.1% or the soil sample containing unbounded (loose) asbestos fibres, fibre counting will then usually be carried out.

What has been described above is an Asbestos in Soils Test. This is a completely different test from a WAC Test, as it is only testing for Asbestos contamination. If asbestos contaminated soil is being disposed of from site, although there is a strong argument that asbestos trumps other forms of contaminants, it will still require WAC Testing to determine which landfill it can be accepted at.

Benefits of WAC Testing

If you’re a waste producer or landfill operator looking to optimize your waste management approach, WAC testing delivers significant advantages that can transform how you handle disposal operations. Indeed, one of the most immediate benefits you’ll experience is the potential to dramatically reduce your waste disposal costs. Consider this scenario: non hazardous waste that meets the criteria for “inert” WAC testing can be directed to an inert landfill site, which is typically far more cost effective than disposal at a non hazardous or hazardous landfill. This targeted approach to waste classification helps you avoid unnecessary expenses and ensures that only suitable waste materials are directed to each landfill “class” (whether inert, non hazardous, or hazardous).

Beyond these cost savings, you’ll find that WAC testing is absolutely essential for maintaining regulatory compliance – something that could save you significant headaches down the line. By accurately determining the chemical properties and “hazardous properties” of your waste materials, WAC testing helps you meet strict legal requirements for waste disposal. This approach reduces your risk of facing penalties and ensures that hazardous waste, contaminated soil, and other potentially dangerous materials are handled according to the latest environmental standards that apply to your operations.

Another key benefit you should consider is how WAC testing prevents “cross contamination” and minimises health risks at your site. By ensuring that hazardous waste is only disposed of at a hazardous landfill, and that non hazardous or inert waste is directed to the correct landfill site, this testing approach helps protect soil and groundwater from pollution. This is particularly important when you’re dealing with contaminated soil or waste soils from construction and industrial activities, where improper disposal could have serious environmental and public health consequences that extend far beyond your immediate site.

All of this leads to another compelling reason to invest in WAC testing: it actively supports sustainable waste management by identifying opportunities for waste reduction and recycling that you might otherwise miss. Through detailed laboratory analysis and “leachate analysis” (which examines how waste materials behave when liquids pass through them), you can better understand the composition of your waste materials. This knowledge potentially uncovers ways to reuse or recycle certain components rather than automatically sending them to landfill. An approach that not only conserves natural resources but also aligns with best practices for environmental stewardship that benefit both your operations and the wider community.

Contact Oracle Solutions to learn more about our soil and land contamination service

If you are concerned about possible presence of asbestos contaminated land and soil and would like to speak to someone about WAC Testing, then contact Oracle Solutions for an in-depth discussion of your requirements. We will be able to offer a free and competitive quote.

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