농지 객토재로 골재부산물의 활용방안에 관한 법적 고찰

Aggregate byproducts landfilled or stored in the open as inorganic wastes are estimated to be more than 16.6 million m³ for just one year of 2013. However, according to a research report of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (2008), aggregate byproducts do not have any problems caused by heavy metal at all, and the content of chemical substances in aggregate byproducts is less than the soil contamination standards specified in the Soil Environment Conservation Act, affecting no injury to human health or surrounding environment. In addition, it is noted that dehydrated and dried aggregate byproducts are classified as primary mineral, similar to natural soil in terms of their physical characteristics. When considering this, it is appropriate to exclude at least inorganic sludge produced from non-metallic mineral crushing facilities or earth/sand washing facilities in a quarry complex or an aggregate collecting complex designated by the country from applicable objects of the Waste Control Act. On the other hand, strict regulations on use of aggregate byproducts as soil addition material or earth-up material, etc. for farmland cause a phenomenon that the link of a virtuous circle of material is blocked. The realities like this bring forth such results as increase of environmental load, lack of final waste disposal places, loss of opportunities for the recycling of resources, etc. Also, average effective moisture content of aggregate byproducts is 2.71%, less than 5.1% of sand, so it is possible to utilize aggregate byproducts as soil addition material for heavy clay and degraded clay which drain badly. Therefore, it is desirable to revise waste related laws so that aggregate byproducts not injurious to human health or surrounding environment may be utilized as soil addition material or earth-up material for farmland without having to report separately.