The City of Kingston’s Excess Soil Management Program has been honored with a Brownie Award at the Canadian Brownfields Network’s annual awards ceremony, under the category of Legislation, Policy, and Program Initiatives.
This national award highlights the City’s effective and proactive strategies in managing soil surplus from construction sites. “Our excess soil management program provides all the necessary tools and supports for the City to comply with evolving legislation surrounding excess construction soils, positions us well for future bans on landfilling re-useable soils, and provides remarkable benefits including decreased costs and emissions,” stated Brodie Richmond, Manager of Environment Operations and Programs at the City of Kingston.
The program is designed to minimize expenses related to brownfield cleanups and land development improvements. It also facilitates savings in construction projects by reusing construction soils, aggregates, and topsoil. Moreover, the program plays a crucial role in reducing landfill usage and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Richmond expressed gratitude for the award, acknowledging it as a testament to the City’s commitment to sustainable and responsible soil management practices. “We are honored to receive this award recognizing our commitment to sustainability and responsible soil management practices. This recognition is a tribute to the diligence and dedication of our staff and colleagues in Engineering Services, Public Works, and at Utilities Kingston, whose efforts have made a significant impact in advancing our climate leadership goals,” he added.
Kingston’s approach has set a precedent for other municipalities, contractors, and engineers in Ontario, exemplified by the establishment of a new centralized soil processing site and multiple re-use sites. The City’s ongoing collaboration with various agencies and organizations in Ontario aims to refine processes in this vital sector.
This is the second time the Canadian Brownfields Network has recognized the City of Kingston, following a previous award for best overall project in 2018. The Brownie Awards annually acknowledge exemplary brownfield projects, individuals, and policies contributing to redevelopment and revitalization efforts across Canada.
More information about the 2023 award recipients can be found on the Canadian Brownfields Network website.
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