A number of European initiatives have been established to share information on different ways of dealing with contaminated land.
In one example, Oldham Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and Belfast City Council are working with partners across Europe on a European Union funded project under 'SUFALNET' (the Sustainable Use of Former and Abandoned Landfills Network; see www.sufalnet.net).
The project is developing policy and sharing ideas looking at the various contamination, remediation and land use planning regimes of its member states. This is with the intention to challenge the negative image of former landfill sites and examine how they can be returned to meaningful use.
Other European initiatives for sharing information and good practice on soil and groundwater management in Europe can be found at www.eurodemo.info and www.eugris.info.