What is Beneficial Reuse?
Transforming waste into opportunity.
Beneficial reuse helps qualifying foundry and abrasive by-products do more than sit in a landfill. With the right testing and fit, material can support construction, landscaping, and infrastructure.
Reuse sand
Finding safe, productive ways to repurpose industrial by-products
The right material can become part of the next project instead of another disposal problem. Reuse can reduce landfill volume, conserve natural resources, and give qualifying foundry sand a productive purpose.
When testing and regulations allow, spent sand can support road base, concrete, manufactured soils, landfill cover, and other practical applications.
Where qualifying material can go
Common reuse applications.
Concrete & Road Base
Can supplement mined material in infrastructure projects where approved.
Landfill Cover
Can serve as daily cover where regulations allow.
Landscaping Soils
Can be blended into manufactured soils for green spaces.
TCLP testing
What is the TCLP Test?
The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) is an EPA laboratory test used to determine whether waste material, such as spent foundry sand, may pose environmental or public health risk.
Waste materials can release chemicals or heavy metals into soil or groundwater, especially under rain or landfill conditions. TCLP simulates those conditions in a controlled lab and measures what may leach from the material.
- A material sample is mixed with a mild acidic solution that mimics landfill or rainfall conditions.
- The sample is soaked and agitated for a set period so potential contaminants can leach into the solution.
- The solution is analyzed for hazardous substances, including heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, or cadmium.
If contaminant levels are below federal limits, the material passes TCLP and may be considered safe for reuse under environmental regulations.
If results exceed those limits, the material is classified as hazardous waste and must be handled, treated, and disposed of under EPA hazardous waste rules.
Passing TCLP helps show whether spent foundry sand can be reused in applications such as construction, landscaping, or landfill cover without unacceptable risk to water, soil, or public health.
The test helps balance reuse opportunity with environmental safety.
State-by-state guidance
Download reuse guidance for your state.
Download state guides covering reuse practices, requirements, and common applications.
Use the map or open a guide directly below.
Do not see your state? ARS can still help evaluate testing, reuse fit, and next steps.
Want to know if your material can move into reuse?
Share your material type, volume, location, and testing status. ARS can help you find the next step.