Watch out for "Dirtbags"
If the ‘free dirt’ deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. That warning from the NSW EPA to treat offers of clean land fill carefully is resonating with renovators and landscapers in south west Sydney, with reports of contaminated soil all too frequent across the region.
The EPA and Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee councils issued the scam alert in February warning residents about companies and individuals offloading contaminated soil as ‘clean’ or ‘certified’ land fill - soil excavated from one site and used as a base material in building, landscaping or general fill somewhere else.
This ‘clean’ land fill is often found to contain building and demolition waste, heavy metals and even asbestos. In some cases, initial loads look clean but subsequent loads are where the problems can start.
EPA Manager Regional Waste Compliance Cate Woods said residents need to treat offers of free or cheap fill extremely carefully.
“Our investigations are showing us it’s common for dodgy operators to advertise through classified ads websites, roadside signage, letter box drops or doorknocking directly,” Ms Woods said.
“Often these people will promise their land fill is ‘guaranteed clean’ or ‘certified’ and will even offer to deliver and level the soil for free. To the untrained eye the soil may seem fine but unfortunately, this is not always the case.”
There are simple steps you can take to ensure you don’t get caught in a scam: check with your local council before accepting fill, use a reputable supplier, record delivery details, look out for odd materials in the load, and secure entry to your property.
If you or your neighbours are looking to fill in an old swimming pool, raise or level an area of land, or do any other bulk earthworks, you need to follow the “clean fill drill”.
Image: EPA