Each decision made during the cleanup of contaminated properties has an impact on our natural environment and our future well-being. Environmental professionals make choices throughout the lifecycle of investigation/cleanup projects that affect more than just the removal of contaminants from the ground. These decisions also affect air emissions, water resources, land and ecosystems, energy requirements, materials consumption and long-term sustainability. Considering the environmental impacts of remedial activities at every stage of the remedial process—in order to maximize the net environmental benefit—is a concept known as “green remediation.” Green remediation enables environmental professionals to minimize the environmental and energy “footprints” of all actions taken during the lifecycle of a project, from investigation through clean-up.

The advent of green remediation is paramount given that remediation processes often can adversely affect air quality by emitting particulates during excavation and construction: This would include those particulates produced from burning fossil fuels in vehicles and construction equipment. Wastewater, dewatering effluent, and storm water are often byproducts of remediation, and their discharge can affect surface water quality by introducing toxics, nutrients or solids. ...

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