Tool: Sustainable Remediation and Risk Management Options
LAND USE
Any technique that remediates or manages the risk of contamination at a site has an environmental benefit as it eliminates or reduces exposure to contaminants. Some techniques, however, are more sustainable than others. You can make a technique more sustainable by applying it in a way that conserves energy, fuel or water; reduces GHGs or other emissions; or minimizes or recycles waste.
The guiding principles for sustainable site remediation and risk management are:
- Treat as much soil as possible on-site and preferably in-situ.
- Use techniques that are energy-efficient, produce minimal chemical and greenhouse gas emissions and incorporate renewable energy.
- Minimize water use and recycle water whenever and wherever possible.
Relative sustainability of contamination management options
The techniques in this table are listed from most to least sustainable.
|
Contamination management technique |
Description | Sustainability factors |
| Risk management approaches |
Risk management approaches reduce exposure to contamination through:
A detailed risk assessment is required to show that a risk management approach will provide the same protection to human health and the environment as remediation. |
Compared to remediation, risk management approaches typically:
These approaches can be the most sustainable method of managing contamination. |
| Remediation approaches - in situ |
Because in-situ remediation techniques are applied in the ground, there is no need to excavate soil or pump groundwater. Common in-situ techniques include bioremediation, vapour extraction and chemical oxidation. |
Compared to remediation techniques that require soil excavation or groundwater pumping, in-situ remediation techniques typically:
If you choose an in-situ technique, you can use specific sustainable approaches to reduce the environmental impact. |
| Remediation approaches - ex-situ |
Ex-situ remediation techniques involve either or both of these options:
|
If you determine that an ex-situ technique is most feasible, you can use specific sustainable approaches to reduce the environmental impact. |
Want to know more?
See these resources on sustainable remediation and risk management techniques:
- Framework for Integrating Sustainability into Remediation Projects,
U.S. Sustainable Remediation Forum - Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Green and Sustainable Remediation: A Practical Framework,
Interstate and Technology and Regulatory Council - Methodology for Understanding and Reducing a Project's Environmental Footprint Draft for Public Input, Greener Cleanups, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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