Research and analysis: Alternative use of dredged material

Requirement R57

Requirement detail

Currently dredge material is usually disposed of at sea. The MMO wish to encourage and enable both the alternative use and re-cycling of dredged material. This will help maintain coastlines, ecosystem services and sustainable development.

Re-used dredged materials conserve primary resources, especially in capital projects where dredged materials can provide fill for allied construction works. However to be able to ensure that these opportunities are maximised the MMO would like to better understand the barriers to the reuse of dredged materials.

This requirement includes increasing the understanding of:

• which spatial and temporal circumstances enable successful re-use
• where and how dredged material could be reused, and other projects that could incorporate alternative use
• the costs to developers to carry out re-use/recycling projects
• the potential to develop a marine alternative use regulatory toolbox for England to support better regulation
• the legal classification of the designation of dredged sediment as waste and the relevant Environment Agency quality protocols