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Solidification/Stabilization
Waste Treatment Home >Solidification/Stabilization

Perhaps the most unique application of cement in waste management is for solidification/stabilization (S/S) treatment of waste. S/S treatment of waste involves mixing cement into contaminated media or waste to immobilize contaminants within the treated material.

Click here to preview a video on how S/S works - or download the Full Video (170MB) PC users right click on the link and select Save Target As... Mac users press and hold your mouse button down and select Download Link to Disk.
By mixing portland cement into a waste containing free liquids, the waste gains physical integrity or become more solid. The chemical properties of hydrating portland cement are used to lower the solubility of toxic contaminants in the waste and is some cases, to also lower the toxicity of a hazardous constituents.

S/S is used to treat industrial waste to make it safe for land disposal. S/S is also used to treat contaminated soil, sediment or sludge at clean-up (remediation) sites. At remediation projects, S/S treatment can be applied to a variety of contaminated media (ex. soil and sediment) with a variety of contaminants (ex. heavy metals, PCBs, and oil). S/S treatment can be applied to material excavated from the site or treatment of media in place (in-situ). In-situ treatment can have the added benefit of improving soil conditions for construction of structures and pavements.

S/S treatment technology contributes to "Green Remediation" and the sustainable development of a contaminated property. While immobilizing hazardous constituents, the technology can also improve the construction properties of the treated materials, enabling reuse. The technology can also alleviate the concerns of surrounding communities that are often associated with the off-site transportation and disposal of contaminated materials. Finally, the technology contributes to the conservation of landfill capacity, replacement fill, and fuel used in transportation with the associated air pollutants and green house gases.

EPA has identified S/S treatment as Best Demonstrated Available Treatment Technology (BDAT) for many Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous wastes. According to the EPA, solidification/stabilization (S/S) is the most frequently selected treatment technology for controlling the sources of environmental contamination at Superfund program sites. Over 23% of selected source-control remedies for these sites include the use of S/S. Sources at these sites are often contaminated soil or sediment.

There are many advantages to using portland cement as a S/S binding reagent. First of all, portland cement is manufactured to specification, which ensures uniformity.

Also, its performance is proven and well-documented It has been used to treat waste in the U.S since the 1950's. Since then portland cement has been used to treat the greatest variety of waste than any other reagent.

And finally, cement is readily available in all parts of U.S. and Canada. It is economical and can be purchased in small or bulk quantities.

  • S/S Applications:
    • Brownfields Clean-up and redevelopment of contaminated industrial and commercial sites
    • Superfund Sites Federal program to clean up releases of hazardous substances at abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
    • Radioactive Waste Safe management and disposal of radioactive waste.
    • Federal Facilities Remediation projects conducted by Federal Agencies other than EPA.

  • S/S Technical Resources
  • S/S Frequently Asked Questions


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