4 Ways to Reuse Dredged Materials and Boost Sustainability

Chances are, a large portion of the materials you’re dredging don’t need to be placed in Confined Disposal Facilities (CDFs). Once you’ve carefully disposed of the hazardous materials in CDFs, there are a number of different things you can do with what’s left. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, there are a few ways you can reuse dredged materials. Here are four options:

1. Use materials as topsoil.

 Oftentimes, portions of the sediment you dredge can be mixed with things like bio-solids and compost to create topsoil. This is a great way to give back to the environment, and it also gives you the opportunity to make a profit if you choose to sell the topsoil.

2. Donate materials to a beach.

Beaches can use your dredged materials for expansion and to enhance their quality overall. This is particularly true if you end up dredging a good amount of sand. Beaches are often looking for more sand and would be happy to take it off your hands.

3. Help create and enhance habitats.

Some of your materials can be used to help re-introduce vegetation that’s natural to wetland and aquatic areas. This means it can be used to create new habitats for animals and enhance ones that have been damaged by the elements or by human activity.

4. Help construct new areas of land.

Ports and harbors may be able to use some of what you’ve dredged as fill material to construct new areas of land or expand on existing areas of land. Donating or selling your materials for this purpose is an excellent way to give back to the areas where you’re dredging.

These are just some of the innovative ways you can reuse your dredging materials. Your materials can also be used for things like mineland reclamation and landfill capping. Be sure to explore all of your options!