What is defined as "clean fill" that does not have to be taken to a landfill?

Wisconsin's Solid Waste Management Codes and Statutes do not use the term "clean fill." However, s.NR 500.08(2)(a) Wis. Adm. Code, does address this general topic. This code provision says that, provided specific locational, performance, and operational standards are met, facilities accepting only clean soil, brick, building stone, concrete, reinforced concrete, broken pavement, and unpainted or untreated wood are exempt from licensing and the requirements of chs. NR 500 to 538, Wis. Adm. Code.

Excavated naturally-occuring soils typically meet the exemption requirements under NR 500.08(2)(a). If the excavated soils are from the remediation of a contaminated site, or contain man-made fill materials other than those listed above, some soils from these projects may have contaminant concentration levels that require handling as a solid waste. Soils from these projects are typically reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the NR 500.08(2)(a) expemption applies. For such situations you should contact the staff person assigned to the county in which the soils will be excavated. Click this link to find the Regional Contact for the county in which you are interested.