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Although there is some use for this material as a low-cost fill, a
surface dressing or even as a cheap 'alternative' sub-base material,
supply still far exceeds local demand. The relatively recent
introduction of the progressive 'Primary Aggregates'
Tax has seen interest in this so-called waste material bloom and some
of the larger construction and civil engineering companies are actively
involved in transporting vast quantities of this 'waste' by rail into
central England for use as a selected fill material in road and rail
construction projects, but still, the huge 'tips' remain.
Simultaneously, the huge surge of interest in gardening and
landscaping over the past few years, has opened a new market for slate
waste as it has become the decorative surface dressing of choice with
many garden designers. Amazingly, what sells as a cheap fill for around
£5-10 per tonne in Bangor and Caernarfon, suddenly costs £6 per 25kg
bag by the time it's packaged and loaded onto the shelves of your local
Garden Centre of DIY Store. |
