Study published on the disposal of finishing materials with tar/pitch-typical constituents in the Free State of Saxony

INTECUS was commissioned by the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology to prepare a study on the disposal of construction materials with typical tar/pitch components in the Free State of Saxony. The project partner was ifeu – Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg GmbH. The aim of the study was to determine, present and evaluate the material flows of tar and pitch-containing materials from municipal road construction in Saxony.

Recommendations had to be derived to ensure the protection of humans and the environment during the disposal of these wastes and to guarantee disposal safety for the waste volumes generated. The nationwide comparison showed that in the individual federal states the regulations on the classification of road construction materials into hazardous and non-hazardous wastes vary considerably. Specific regulations on the recycling of these materials apply to federal trunk roads as well as state or national roads. For district and municipal roads, these road construction regulations have so far only been binding in the city states. Recommendations for action included: closing a regulatory gap, harmonizing requirements for all road authorities in Saxony, creating a guideline, and conducting training for municipal road authorities.