London 2012 Olympics are on target to exceed 90% C&D waste recycling target.
The clean-up of the 2.5 km2 Olympic Park, much of it contaminated through decades of industrial use, is almost complete and on track to beat its tough sustainability targets.
The cleaning and clearing of the Olympic Park utilised sustainable techniques to recycle and reuse over ninety per cent of the demolition material and eighty per cent of soil on site. This significantly reduced lorry journeys in the local area as only a minimal amount of contaminated material was taken to landfill sites.
As previously expected and announced industrial contamination on site included oil, petrol, tar, cyanide, arsenic and lead as well as some very low level radioactive material. In line with Environment Agency guidance a small amount of soil containing traces of this very low level radioactive material, classed as ‘exempt’ under current environmental law, has been safely buried in a cell under a bridge embankment on site. It is covered and capped on all sides. This safe disposal has been approved by the Environment Agency and the legacy landowner the London Development Agency and in no way poses a risk to the health of the workforce or public now or in the future.
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