WAC (Waste Acceptance Criteria) Testing Across the UK
Correct landfill classification is essential for legal, safe and cost-effective waste disposal. TTL provides specialist WAC testing and interpretation so that contractors, consultants and waste producers know exactly where their waste can be accepted.
We work with engineers, environmental consultants, contractors and waste managers to deliver clear, defensible WAC test data for projects throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Specialist testing and landfill classification
We support:
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Construction, demolition and remediation projects generating soil and rubble
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Brownfield and contaminated land schemes
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Industrial and commercial sites producing process wastes
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Local authorities, developers and waste transfer stations needing clear landfill routing
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Environmental and geotechnical consultants who require reliable laboratory data
Our role is to provide robust, traceable test results so that professional advisers can make informed decisions on landfill choice, compliance and cost.
What is WAC testing?
WAC testing (Waste Acceptance Criteria testing) is used to classify waste for disposal to landfill. It involves a suite of analytical tests to understand how the waste will behave once buried, including leachate characteristics and chemical composition.
WAC testing is used to determine:
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Whether the waste meets the acceptance criteria for inert, non-hazardous or hazardous landfill
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Any restrictions or special handling requirements imposed by landfill permits
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Whether additional treatment is required before disposal
Importantly:
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A WAC test does not decide whether a waste is hazardous or non-hazardous in regulatory terms
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A WAC test does determine which category of landfill can legally accept the waste
WAC testing became mandatory for hazardous waste in 2005 and supports compliance with the Landfill Regulations (2005) and the Waste Framework Directive (2018), enforced by the Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Natural Resources Wales.
Why WAC classification matters
Accurate WAC testing and landfill classification helps you to:
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Avoid non-compliance with landfill regulations and waste duty of care
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Demonstrate that waste has been assessed and routed appropriately
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Control disposal costs by avoiding unnecessarily expensive hazardous landfills
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Provide transparent, auditable documentation for clients, regulators and landfill operators
Because hazardous landfill is usually significantly more expensive than inert or non-hazardous options, high-quality WAC data can have a major impact on project budgets as well as compliance.
o discuss your WAC testing requirements, or to arrange testing for a current or upcoming project, please contact our experienced and dedicated team:
Tel: 0800 177 7264
Email: info@thetestinglab.eu
Or please complete our online call back form by clicking on the “Call Me” button, and we’ll respond promptly.
When should you arrange WAC testing?
Testing should be considered when:
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Soil, sub-soils or made ground are known or suspected to be contaminated
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A remediation, demolition or earthworks scheme will generate significant volumes of waste
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A landfill operator, regulator or client requires evidence to support landfill acceptance
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There is uncertainty over whether a waste stream will meet inert or non-hazardous criteria
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You need to compare disposal options or assess the benefit of pre-treatment
Waste is generally considered contaminated if the material or any substances it contains may be harmful to people or the environment. Common contaminants include:
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Asbestos (see our dedicated Asbestos services)
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Oils and hydrocarbons (e.g. fuels, engine oil)
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Hazardous waste residues and containers
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Industrial chemicals and reagents
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Pesticides and herbicides
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Battery acid and other corrosive liquids
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Organic contaminants and solvents
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Heavy metals and inorganic pollutants
All contaminated or potentially contaminated waste should be assessed and, where required, WAC tested prior to landfill disposal.
Our WAC testing service
TTL provides a laboratory-centred WAC testing and classification service, working in partnership with your consultants, engineers and waste contractors. Typical steps include:
Typical tests and investigations we support
Depending on the waste type and objectives, a WAC testing programme may include:
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Leachate testing (e.g. compliance with landfill leaching limits)
Assessment of how contaminants may leach from the waste under landfill conditions. -
Chemical analysis of solids and leachates
Determination of key parameters such as metals, sulphate, chloride, TOC, phenols and other relevant contaminants. -
Physical and classification tests
Basic characterisation such as moisture content, LOI and description to support waste classification and handling. -
Linkage to hazardous/non-hazardous classification
While WAC is separate from hazardous/non-hazardous status, we can coordinate with other testing to support your consultant’s overall classification work.
The exact test suite is agreed with your environmental or geotechnical professional so that it meets regulatory and landfill requirements without unnecessary cost.
How WAC test results are used
Our WAC test results are typically interpreted by environmental consultants, geotechnical engineers, waste managers or specialist advisers. Combined with their site knowledge and professional judgement, the data can be used to:
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Confirm whether waste meets inert, non-hazardous or hazardous landfill criteria
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Support decisions on which landfill site(s) can accept each waste stream
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Assess whether treatment could enable disposal to a lower-cost landfill category
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Provide evidence to regulators, landfill operators and clients that duty of care has been met
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Contribute to project cost planning and risk management for developers and contractors
TTL’s focus is on delivering reliable, traceable laboratory evidence that integrates smoothly into this wider professional assessment.
Why choose The Testing Lab PLC for WAC testing?
Specialist, accredited testing laboratory
Experienced in soil and material testing, alongside asbestos, geotechnical, radon and other property risks.
Clear, decision-ready reporting
Results presented in a way that consultants, contractors, landfill operators and regulators can use directly, with key findings clearly highlighted.
Joined-up property and environmental risk services
Ability to combine WAC testing with asbestos in soils, geotechnical testing, radon and other services where a broader view of risk is needed.
Independent. Nationwide.
Supporting clients and professional advisers across England, Scotland & Wales from our National Control Centre in Doncaster.
Areas we cover
From our National Control Centre, we receive and WAC test samples from projects throughout:
- Yorkshire & Humberside
- North East & North West
- East Anglia & East Midlands
- London, South East & South West
- West Midlands, Scotland & Wales
WAC Samples can be sent by courier, haulier or coordinated collection, with full chain-of-custody documentation and agreed turnaround times.
Frequently asked questions about WAC testing
Our Accredited Testing Services
Dear The Testing Lab PLC,
Many thanks for your prompt and professional asbestos survey report service, I would not hesitate to recommend your company in this regard.
This must be an absolute record for getting a report back, considering the surveyor arrived around 3pm – very well done!
Thank you for the very quick response for the quote and scheduling the survey. There’s never any fuss, and always straight forward. Thanks again.
Thank you for offering such a prompt turnaround for ACM testing and for your courteous service in doing so – I had a nervous client to placate and knowing the report would be back with them in such a short time was very reassuring to them, and for no more than a basic service from the competition!
Bradley, thank you for your efforts at short notice today, please pass on our gratitude to your surveyor Tim who did your company proud!
Thank you very much for the air sampling results – and please accept our grateful thanks for resolving this issue so quickly and for the promptness of the report.
Your analyst, Lee, was very helpful and his suggestions and advice appreciated.
We would have no hesitation in recommending The Testing Lab and will be in touch soon with regards arrangements for a full asbestos survey for the rest of the site.
TTL have been working directly as my analyst for the last 12 months on a very complex asbestos removal scheme, they have achieved all of their KPI’s without fail and on a number of occasions surpassed their SLA in acting for us on planning issues associated with the demolition in regard to contamination which cannot be removed as part of the normal sequence of operation.
There reports are always issued within timescales and they have policed the reports by the Licensed asbestos contractor faultlessly sometimes in very difficult circumstances.
