The vast majority of Japanese knotweed waste currently ends up in landfill sites where it rots, producing damaging landfill gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Sometimes, though, the properties attacked by Japanese knotweed are brand new. 5. With knotweed (and soil containing knotweed) being classed as a controlled waste, it has very specific conditions under which it needs to be disposed of and only landfills with sufficient space will be able to comply with them. • grows up to 3 m tall and can grow in dense patches • hollow stems with purple and red speckles • heart-shaped leaves, 3-10 cm long • clusters of small, greenish-white flowers in sprays along the stems • roots extend 3 m deep and 14 m or more from the plant WHY IS KNOTWEED BAD? A Japanese knotweed site survey and remediation options appraisal is essential in determining accurate development costs for a site. Reduced landfill volumes. Japanese knotweed is a weed that can grow to over two metres high and spread rapidly. Japanese knotweed is so tenacious that it has been known to grow through solid masonry foundations. On-site burial. Fallopia japonica, Reynoutria japonica and Polygonum cuspidatum, aka Japanese Knotweed is a rhizomatous perennial plant. Cut Knotweed material and soils contain rhizomes must be disposed of as a controlled waste if they are to be removed from their site. The problem with Japanese Knotweed is that it can sprout from as little as 2mm of rhizome, meaning it is classed as “controlled waste” under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990 and must only be disposed of into licensed landfill sites to stop further spread. We have a team of highly qualified staff, who will be more than happy to discuss the process and options of dealing with Japanese Knotweed. Japanese Knotweed waste is classed as “controlled waste” and must be disposed of in line with the Duty of Care Regulations 1991 under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The act stipulates that Japanese Knotweed can only be disposed of at landfills that are licensed to handle contaminated soil. When we are called to site where Japanese Knotweed has been fly-tipped we work with the landowner to remove the problem. Minimised excavation . There are several approaches you can use to get rid of this plant, and it sometimes requires multiple attacks for complete eradication. As of the 2014 order People who fail to control the spread of invasive non-native plants such as Japanese Knotweed could be fined or receive anti-social behaviour orders. Burial pits should not be located under proposed buildings. And as Japanese knotweed is classed as “controlled waste” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, both vegetation and soil must disposal at licensed landfill sites. 4. If your municipality has a high-heat compost program, plants can be sent there. Changes in legislation will I’m sure eventually lead to a refusal to accept Japanese Knotweed at landfill sites …and I’m sure this is on the current horizon. • Japanese knotweed - 1.5 m to 2.5 m tall, multiple branches, mottled purple/brown • Giantknotweed-3 mto6 tall,fewornobranches, mottled purple/brown • Himalayanknotweed-2 mto3 tall,branchedat upper half, reddish in color Rhizomes: At maturity, rhizomes are thick and woody, and can spread up to 20 m laterally. ... cause the spread of Japanese knotweed and all waste which contains Japanese knotweed has to be disposed of at a licensed landfill site. You must use a registered waste carrier and authorised landfill/disposal site if removed off site. • Plant material is a ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. As well as harming the environment, Japanese Knotweed is able to grow through the smallest gaps in walls, pavements and structural foundations of buildings. Contact a Japanese knotweed specialist. But what’s the cost of removing Japanese knotweed? Under no circumstances can you dispose of Japanese Knotweed in your compost, recycling, or waste bins, due to its fast spreading and growing nature. To move soil in the Republic of Ireland that contains Japanese knotweed will require a license from NPWS. Why is knotweed a problem? The local environment agency should be notified with the intention to bury Japanese Knotweed 7 days in advance. The location of the burial pit must be marked accurately on site plans so that it is not accidentally disturbed by any future works. ... you must use a registered waste carrier to transport your contaminated soil to a licensed landfill site. • Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is an invasive plant that can cause damage to property, and is very difficult to control once established. Site Capping is a fast way to eradicate Japanese Knotweed while keeping volumes of waste to a minimum. Our landfill resources in the UK are dwindling and there are an increasingly limited number of landfills that will take Japanese knotweed material. However, as the Japanese knotweed spreads rapidly, it can be a severe problem for homeowners. This may involve either burying the waste on-site or removing it to a specialist landfill. Excavation of Japanese knotweed and removal of wastes to a landfill site is a frequent option where time and space don’t allow other treatment strategies. Japanese Knotweed Burial On-site. If you have it growing in your garden, you’ll want to get it removed as soon as you can. 6. Do an Internet search to find out the rules regarding Japanese knotweed disposal … Removal to landfill: This method completely removes Japanese Knotweed material from site and is very quick to implement. Previous Environment Agency guidelines stated that excavation of Japanese knotweed should be undertaken within a 7 metre zone around plants and to a depth of 3 metres. Companies building new houses will have to be creative with how they deal with contaminated land and be fully up to speed with ALL strategies available to them for dealing with Japanese Knotweed. Known for its destructive capabilities, the Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant which can severely damage buildings and construction sites if left unchecked. Environet has filed a patent application for the method and apparatus used to convert Japanese knotweed waste into biochar, thereby locking in carbon and eliminating the need for landfill. And merely dumping it in the trash or into a landfill site is strictly forbidden. • It is listed under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to plant or cause this species to grow in the wild. Our site surveys identify and record the knotweed problem and accurately assess the risk category in accordance with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) guidelines. Japanese Knotweed Site Survey. Japanese knotweed can regenerate from very small fragments of rhizome (as little as 0.7 grams). Site Capping removes knotweed to the construction foundation level*, minimising the depth of excavation and the resulting volume of waste. Japanese Knotweed is also a controlled waste material and therefore must be disposed of via approved landfill sites only. As we have mentioned above, disposing of Japanese knotweed at a licenced landfill is the easiest way to make sure you are staying within the law. In Northern Ireland, Waste Transfer Notes are required by the licensed haulier to transport the material to the landfill site. This is ideal where no construction work has begun and the site can be fully excavated to make a hole deep enough to contain the Japanese Knotweed. The time it takes to get rid of Japanese knotweed depends on the size of the infestation and the techniques used to combat it. You should also call the landfill before you transport the waste, as it must have the correct environmental permit to deal with the knotweed. Article 34. This will also ensure that any contractors on-site will treat Japanese knotweed appropriately. Alternatively, solarize viable plant material by placing it in sealed black plastic bags and leaving them in direct sunlight for 1-3 weeks. Early detection and treatment of Japanese knotweed infestations is of paramount importance if remediation costs are to be kept to a minimum. We specialise in the removal and disposal of Japanese Knotweed from construction sites or any site that is being developed or remediated. By minimising the amount of controlled waste, we’re actively helping to reduce landfill levels. It is classed as ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and requires disposal by a licensed waste carrier, who will ensure it is disposed of at a licensed landfill site. Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) ... Do not compost viable plant material at home or send to landfill. Japanese Knotweed identification. Delays can be very costly. Not all landfill sites are able to take Japanese knotweed contaminated material, which is regulated under Part 2 of the environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Hazard Waste Regulations 2005. What Is Japanese Knotweed? The waste can either be sent to landfill or buried on site. It is illegal to dispose of Japanese knotweed at a landfill site without informing the landfill site that the waste material is Japanese knotweed. You are only allowed to bury knotweed at authorised landfill sites, you are also required to call in advance to give them time to prepare. Get in touch for legal help! Because Japanese knotweed is classified as “controlled waste” by the 1990 Environmental Protection Act, many places, like the United Kingdom, require you to dispose of it at a licensed landfill site. Knotweed species in the region include: Japanese (Fallopia japonica), Bohemian (F. x Bohemicum), Giant (F. sachalinensis) and Himalayan (Persicaria wallichii). Dispose of Japanese knotweed waste off-site. Read our Japanese Knotweed FAQs to find out more about this invasive plant. There are three ways to get rid of Japanese Knotweed; each has their pros and cons, and prices vary. In Northern Ireland it is illegal to dispose of Japanese knotweed, or knotweed contaminated soil, at a landfill site without informing the landfill site that the waste material is Japanese knotweed. This is then removed to an environment agency approved disposal site. Any attempts to remove Knotweed should therefore be carried out by licensed professionals. A survey can safeguard a buyer who wishes to purchase a development site. Japanese Knotweed is one of the most common and problematic invasive weeds in the UK today due to its resilience, rapid growth rate and difficulty to fully remove. Japanese knotweed can also be burnt as a method of eradication – if the waste belongs to a business rather than a private individual, the EA and local Environmental Health Officer must be notified at least a week in advance (.GOV.UK, 2017). With its red stems and deep green leaves, it’s not deemed an unattractive plant. Japanese Knotweed A Brief History of an Invasive Weed – What is it? As part of buying, selling or re-mortgaging a property you may be required to undertake a Japanese knotweed survey. Using the instant eradication method the Japanese Knotweed company technicians will fully excavate the affected land, including Rhizomes. Only registered waste carriers should transport this material and relevant insurance policies should be in place. We’ll reveal all below. The following points should help you through this process. Indeed, the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 decrees that planting or dumping knotweed in the wild is an offense punishable by a fine or imprisonment. Southwest Knotweed started its journey in 2011, 1st treating Japanese Knotweed in Cornwall and then, soon expanding across the South West, covering Devon, Somerset and Cornwall, offering bespoke solutions within the Invasive Weed Industry. WHAT DOES JAPANESE KNOTWEED LOOK LIKE? 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