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. Only registered waste carriers should transport this material and relevant insurance policies should be in place. 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. Burial pits should not be located under proposed buildings. Why is knotweed a problem? 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. If you have it growing in your garden, you’ll want to get it removed as soon as you can. 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 as Japanese knotweed is classed as “controlled waste” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, both vegetation and soil must disposal at licensed landfill sites. • 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. 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. The waste can either be sent to landfill or buried on site. Japanese Knotweed Ltd was asked to assess a closed landfill site that had a large infestation of Japanese knotweed. Japanese knotweed is so tenacious that it has been known to grow through solid masonry foundations. The location of the burial pit must be marked accurately on site plans so that it is not accidentally disturbed by any future works. However, as the Japanese knotweed spreads rapidly, it can be a severe problem for homeowners. Article 34. 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. 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. There are several approaches you can use to get rid of this plant, and it sometimes requires multiple attacks for complete eradication. As well as harming the environment, Japanese Knotweed is able to grow through the smallest gaps in walls, pavements and structural foundations of buildings. Japanese Knotweed identification. The individual or organisation that has collected the knotweed is responsible for identifying a licensed landfill and transporting the knotweed to the licensed handler. Our landfill resources in the UK are dwindling and there are an increasingly limited number of landfills that will take Japanese knotweed material. 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. On-site burial. The following points should help you through this process. Knotweed species in the region include: Japanese (Fallopia japonica), Bohemian (F. x Bohemicum), Giant (F. sachalinensis) and Himalayan (Persicaria wallichii). Japanese knotweed is a weed that can grow to over two metres high and spread rapidly. Site Capping removes knotweed to the construction foundation level*, minimising the depth of excavation and the resulting volume of waste. Whilst the landfill site is closed, it is in the interest of the property owner to control and manage Japanese knotweed on their land. A Japanese knotweed site survey and remediation options appraisal is essential in determining accurate development costs for a site. If your municipality has a high-heat compost program, plants can be sent there. With its red stems and deep green leaves, it’s not deemed an unattractive plant. ... you must use a registered waste carrier to transport your contaminated soil to a licensed landfill site. As part of buying, selling or re-mortgaging a property you may be required to undertake a Japanese knotweed survey. Minimised excavation . Japanese Knotweed is also a controlled waste material and therefore must be disposed of via approved landfill sites only. When we are called to site where Japanese Knotweed has been fly-tipped we work with the landowner to remove the problem. This may involve either burying the waste on-site or removing it to a specialist landfill. Alternatively, solarize viable plant material by placing it in sealed black plastic bags and leaving them in direct sunlight for 1-3 weeks. • Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is an invasive plant that can cause damage to property, and is very difficult to control once established. • 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. Japanese Knotweed Site Survey. 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. Do an Internet search to find out the rules regarding Japanese knotweed disposal … But what’s the cost of removing Japanese knotweed? 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. And merely dumping it in the trash or into a landfill site is strictly forbidden. This will also ensure that any contractors on-site will treat Japanese knotweed appropriately. Japanese knotweed can regenerate from very small fragments of rhizome (as little as 0.7 grams). Contact a Japanese knotweed specialist. 4. 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). How long does it take to get rid of Japanese knotweed? 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. 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 time it takes to get rid of Japanese knotweed depends on the size of the infestation and the techniques used to combat it. Any attempts to remove Knotweed should therefore be carried out by licensed professionals. The act stipulates that Japanese Knotweed can only be disposed of at landfills that are licensed to handle contaminated soil. A survey can safeguard a buyer who wishes to purchase a development site. By minimising the amount of controlled waste, we’re actively helping to reduce landfill levels. In Northern Ireland, Waste Transfer Notes are required by the licensed haulier to transport the material to the landfill site. Japanese Knotweed and contaminated soil can also be buried on site inside a heat sealed plastic membrane. 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. • 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? Is Japanese knotweed dangerous? You must use a registered waste carrier and authorised landfill/disposal site if removed off site. Known for its destructive capabilities, the Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant which can severely damage buildings and construction sites if left unchecked. 6. 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. Under no circumstances can you dispose of Japanese Knotweed in your compost, recycling, or waste bins, due to its fast spreading and growing nature. Reduced landfill volumes. Fallopia japonica, Reynoutria japonica and Polygonum cuspidatum, aka Japanese Knotweed is a rhizomatous perennial plant. Removal to landfill: This method completely removes Japanese Knotweed material from site and is very quick to implement. You should also call the landfill before you transport the waste, as it must have the correct environmental permit to deal with the knotweed. To move soil in the Republic of Ireland that contains Japanese knotweed will require a license from NPWS. What Is 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. 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 Burial On-site. 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. 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 (Reynoutria japonica) ... Do not compost viable plant material at home or send to landfill. 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. Using the instant eradication method the Japanese Knotweed company technicians will fully excavate the affected land, including Rhizomes. 5. Read our Japanese Knotweed FAQs to find out more about this invasive plant. ... cause the spread of Japanese knotweed and all waste which contains Japanese knotweed has to be disposed of at a licensed landfill 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. Site Capping is a fast way to eradicate Japanese Knotweed while keeping volumes of waste to a minimum. The local environment agency should be notified with the intention to bury Japanese Knotweed 7 days in advance. WHAT DOES JAPANESE KNOTWEED LOOK LIKE? 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. 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. 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. Sometimes, though, the properties attacked by Japanese knotweed are brand new. Delays can be very costly. 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. 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