Dirt Exchange FAQs | Soil Connect

A dirt exchange usually costs less than landfilling clean dirt, because the exporting site skips disposal fees and often hauls a shorter distance. EPA notes that reusing construction materials lowers costs through avoided purchase and disposal. Soil Connect reports customer savings of 28% to 42% on dirt, though results vary with haul distance.

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Can contractors swap dirt between job sites?

Contractors can swap dirt between job sites when the soil is clean, meets the receiving spec and follows state fill rules. Illinois, for example, requires certification forms when soil goes to a regulated fill operation but not for clean soil placed elsewhere. Swaps cut purchase and disposal costs, so documenting tests and tickets matters most.

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How does a soil exchange work for construction projects?

A soil exchange matches an exporting site's material, volume and schedule with an importing site's specification, then books trucks between them. The receiving engineer usually wants gradation, plasticity and contaminant test results first, and each truck gets a ticket so both sides can reconcile volumes. Some states, such as Illinois, add certification steps.

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What is a dirt exchange?

A dirt exchange is a marketplace connecting construction sites that have excess soil with sites that need fill, so dirt moves to a nearby project instead of a landfill or distant pit. Some exchanges also arrange trucking. Soil Connect runs one alongside a dirt brokerage and reports 182 million+ yards matched.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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