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Classify different types of waste

1. Overview
You must describe any waste your business produces before you send it for recycling and disposal.
Classifying your waste will help you:
decide how to handle it

complete the paperwork you must give waste contractors so they can manage your waste - this is part of your
duty of care (https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/duty-of-care)
You may need to meet additional requirements if you want to dispose of hazardous waste
(https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste).
What to include in your description

Your description must include:
the waste classication code, also referred to as LoW (List of Waste) or EWC (European Waste Catalogue) code -
you can nd some common classication codes in parts 2 to 6 of this guide
whether its hazardous
the type of premises or business where the waste was produced
the name of the substance or substances
the process that produced the waste
a chemical and physical analysis
any special problems, requirements or knowledge related to the waste
You must consider all the waste your business produces.
If you cant nd a code for your waste
Check the technical guidance on waste (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-classication-technical-guidance) -

it also includes information about waste classication, hazardous waste and waste sampling.
You must not use landll waste acceptance criteria (WAC) results for waste classication purposes.
How to nd out if your waste is hazardous

In most cases you can check the waste code or codes associated with your type of waste - itll have an asterisk if its
hazardous.
Some waste may have both hazardous and non-hazardous entries, depending on whether it contains dangerous
substances at or above certain levels.
In these cases, you must determine the wastes composition and assess if it has hazardous properties or components
before you can classify it - check the manufacturers product safety data sheets for this information.
Many products include orange and black danger symbols or red and white hazard pictograms to indicate theyre
hazardous - check the technical guidance on waste (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-classication-
technical-guidance) for more information.
Some products (eg cosmetics and medicines) arent normally labelled with hazard symbols - check the products
safety data sheet.
Mixing waste
Its illegal to mix a hazardous waste with either non-hazardous or another hazardous waste.
Check how to mix and store hazardous waste (https://www.gov.uk/hazardous-waste-segregation-and-mixing).
You will usually need more than one code if you store more than one type of non-hazardous waste in your container.
If you need more help

You can seek advice from a specialist waste contractor if youre not sure whether its hazardous or not.
For more information, contact the Environment Agency.
Environment Agency
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Minicom: 03702 422 549
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)
2. Construction and demolition waste

The tables below list waste codes for common construction and demolition waste.
You can nd additional codes for other waste and advice on how to apply these codes in the technical guidance on
waste (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-classication-technical-guidance).
Insulation and asbestos materials
Waste type Waste status Waste code
Insulation containing asbestos Hazardous 17-06-01*
Other insulation containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-06-03*
Other insulation materials Non-hazardous 17-06-04
Other construction materials containing asbestos Hazardous 17-06-05*
(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics
This list excludes asbestos-containing materials - refer to the insulation and asbestos materials table for any waste with
asbestos.
Waste
Waste type Waste status
code
Non-
Concrete 17-01-01
hazardous
Non-
Bricks 17-01-02
hazardous
Non-
Tiles and ceramics 17-01-03
hazardous
Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics (alone or in mixtures) containing hazardous

Hazardous 17-01-06*
substances
Non-
Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics in mixtures, containing no hazardous substances 17-01-07
hazardous
Wood, glass and plastic

This list excludes packaging wastes and domestic type recyclables - refer to the packaging section
(https://www.gov.uk/how-to-classify-different-types-of-waste/packaging-waste-and-recyclables) for related codes.
Non-
Wood - untreated 17-02-01
hazardous
Non-
Glass - uncontaminated 17-02-02
hazardous
Non-
Plastic - excludes packaging waste 17-02-03
hazardous
Treated wood, glass, plastic (alone or in mixtures) containing hazardous

Hazardous 17-02-04*
substances
Bituminous mixtures, coal tar and tar
Bituminous mixtures containing coal tar Hazardous 17-03-01*

Other bituminous mixtures Non-hazardous 17-03-02
Coal tar and tarred products Hazardous 17-03-03*
Metallic waste, including cable
Copper, bronze and brass Non-hazardous 17-04-01
Aluminium Non-hazardous 17-04-02
Lead Non-hazardous 17-04-03
Iron and steel Non-hazardous 17-04-05
Tin Non-hazardous 17-04-06
Mixed metals Non-hazardous 17-04-07
Metals containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-04-09*
Cables containing oil, coal tar and other hazardous substances Hazardous 17-04-10*
Other cables Non-hazardous 17-04-11
Soil, contaminated soil, stones and dredging spoil

You must be able to prove that your waste doesnt contain any hazardous substances to classify soil as non-hazardous -
youll always need to assess the soil before you hand it over to be collected.
The presence of any fragments of asbestos-containing material in the soil results in a mixed hazardous waste - refer to
the insulation and asbestos materials table for more guidance.
Soil and stones containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-05-03*
Other soil and stones Non-hazardous 17-05-04
Dredging spoil containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-05-05*
Other dredging spoil Non-hazardous 17-05-06

Gypsum
Gypsum materials containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-08-01*
Other gypsum materials Non-hazardous 17-08-02
Cement
Un-used or un-set cement Hazardous 17-09-03*
Paints and varnishes

Paints and varnishes of a type normally used by householders can be classied under the codes indicated in brackets if
separated out from other waste.
Waste
Waste type Waste code
status
Containing organic solvents or

Hazardous 08-01-11* (20-01-27*)
other hazardous substances
Not containing organic solvents Non-

08-01-12 (20-01-28)
or other hazardous substances hazardous
Paint or varnish remover Hazardous 08-01-21*
Refer to packaging waste and recyclables section

Paint cans Hazardous (https://www.gov.uk/how-to-classify-different-types-of-waste/packaging-
waste-and-recyclables)
Adhesives and sealants

Adhesives and sealants of a type normally used by householders can be classied under the codes indicated in
brackets if separated out from other waste.
Waste
status
Containing organic solvents or

Hazardous 08-04-09* (20-01-27*)
other hazardous substances
Waste
status
Not containing organic solvents Non-

08-04-10 (20-01-28)
or other hazardous substances hazardous
Refer to packaging waste and recyclables section

Adhesive or sealant containers Hazardous (https://www.gov.uk/how-to-classify-different-types-of-waste/packaging-
waste-and-recyclables)
3. Packaging waste and recyclables

The tables below list waste codes for common packaging and domestic type recyclable wastes.
Containers must be empty to be classied as packaging waste.
Waste Paper and

Waste type Plastic Metal Glass Textiles
status cardboard
Non- 15-01- 15- 15- 15-01-

Clean packaging 15-01-01
hazardous 02 01-04 01-07 09
Other clean material, unmixed - excluding Non- 20-01- 20- 20- 20-01-
20-01-01
packaging hazardous 39 01-40 01-02 11
15- 15-
15-01- 15-01-
01-04 15-01-01 01-07
Non- 02 and 09 and
Mixed clean material - including packaging and and 20- and
hazardous 20-01- 20-01-
20- 01-01 20-
39 10
01-40 01-02
Empty packaging contaminated with residues of 15- 15-

15-01- 15-01-
hazardous substances, eg paint cans, Hazardous 01- 15-01-10* 01-
10* 10*
intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and drums 10* 10*
Empty packaging contaminated with residues of Non- 15-01- 15- 15- 15-01-
15-01-01
non-hazardous substances hazardous 02 01-04 01-07 09
4. Electronic and electrical equipment

The tables below list waste codes for batteries, lightbulbs and electrical devices.
Youll need to include all relevant classication codes if you place electrical devices that would be assigned different
codes in the same container.
Batteries
Waste type Waste status Household type Industrial or commercial
Lead acid (vehicle) Hazardous 16-06-01* 16-06-01*
Lead acid (other) Hazardous 20-01-33* 16-06-01*
Nickel-Cadmium Hazardous 20-01-33* 16-06-02*
Mercury containing Hazardous 20-01-33* 16-06-03*
Alkaline Non-hazardous 20-01-34 16-06-04
Other - Lithium or Lithium ion Non-hazardous 20-01-34 16-06-05
Mixed batteries - unsorted Hazardous 20-01-33* Not allowed
Lightbulbs and lamps
Fluorescent tubes and low energy - excluding LED Hazardous 20-01-21* 16-02-13*
LED, halogen and incandescent Non-hazardous 20-01-36 16-02-14
Televisions, laptop computers, tablets and mobile phones with screens

Hazardous components may include any of the following:
activated glass
phosphors
CRT
fluorescent backlight
printed circuit boards - containing nickel
capacitors
Ni-Cd batteries for portable devices
See the table about other devices if you know your device contains no hazardous components.
Waste Household Industrial or

Waste type
status type commercial
Cathode ray tube (CRT), flatscreen (plasma or LCD) Hazardous 20-01-35* 16-02-13*
Waste type
Laptop computers, tablets and mobile phones with

Hazardous 20-01-35* Not applicable
screens
Fridges, freezers, chillers and air-conditioning units

foam - flammable hydrocarbons or ozone depleting substances

motors and pumps containing oil
cooling agents
printed circuit boards containing nickel

Waste type
Containing ozone-depleting substances as foam blowing

Hazardous 20-01-23* 16-02-11*
agents or coolants
Other Hazardous 20-01-35* 16-02-13*
Other white goods

motors and pumps containing oil

printed circuit boards containing nickel
capacitors

Waste type
White goods (eg washing machines, dishwashers and tumble driers)

Hazardous 20-01-35* 16-02-13*
with hazardous components
Non-
White goods without hazardous components 20-01-36 16-02-14
hazardous
Other devices
printed circuit boards

motors
pumps
some batteries
lamps and bulbs
display screens
capacitors
ink or toner cartridges
asbestos
mercury switches
With hazardous components Hazardous 20-01-35* 16-02-13*
Without any hazardous components Non-hazardous 20-01-36 16-02-14
Examples of electrical devices which may have hazardous components include:
cameras - excluding single use

power tools
lawn mowers
chain saws
hedge trimmers
photocopiers
projectors
computer towers
microwaves
printers
Household-type small mixed waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from civic
amenity sites
You should code small household-type WEEE items that have been collected from civic amenity sites with 2 codes:
20-01-35*
20-01-36
You must include additional classication codes if the collected waste includes other WEEE items or other wastes.
5. Vehicle and oily wastes

The tables below list waste codes for common wastes produced by vehicle maintenance and dismantling activities.
Vehicle fluids and other oils

You must not mix any of the following fluids:
mineral oils
cooking oils
halogenated oils
brake fluids
anti-freeze
washer fluids
oily waters
Vehicle and other oils
Mineral-
Contains PCBs Mineral-
Waste based and Readily Other
Waste type (polychlorinated based and Synthetic
status non- biodegradable oils
biphenyls) chlorinated
chlorinated
13-
Hydraulic 13-01-
Hazardous 13-01-01* 13-01-09* 13-01-10* 13-01-12* 01-
oils 11*
13*
Engine, gear
13-
and 13-02-
Hazardous Not applicable 13-02-04* 13-02-05* 13-02-07* 02-
lubricating 06*
08*
oils
Insulating
13-
and 13-03-
Hazardous 13-03-01* 13-03-06* 13-03-07* 13-03-09* 03-
transmission 08*
10*
oils
Interceptor wastes
Interceptor sludges Hazardous 13-05-03*
Oily water from interceptor Hazardous 13-05-07*
Solid waste from interceptor Hazardous 13-05-01*
Fuels, brake and anti-freeze fluids
Fuel oil and diesel Hazardous 13-07-01*
Petrol Hazardous 13-07-02*
Other fuels, including mixed fuels from mis-fuelling Hazardous 13-07-03*
Brake fluids Hazardous 16-01-13*
Antifreeze containing hazardous substances Hazardous 16-01-14*

Antifreeze not containing hazardous substances Non-hazardous 16-01-15
Vehicles and their components

The waste code for end-of-life (ie no longer usable) tyres is 16-01-03.
Vehicles
End-of-life vehicles - un-depolluted Hazardous 16-01-04*
End-of-life vehicles - depolluted Non-hazardous 16-01-06
Components, including oil lters
Oil lters Hazardous 16-01-07*
Components containing mercury Hazardous 16-01-08*
Components containing PCBs Hazardous 16-01-09*
Air bags
The waste code for explosive components (eg air bags) is 16-01-10*.
Brake pads
Brake pads containing asbestos Hazardous 16-01-11*
Other brake pads Non-hazardous 16-01-12
Car batteries
The waste code for lead acid car batteries is 16-06-01*.
Catalytic converters
The waste code for catalytic converters is 16 01 21*, or 16 01 22 for those that dont contain refractory ceramic bres
(RCF).
End-of-life vehicle wastes
Ferrous metal Non-hazardous 16-01-17
Non-ferrous metal Non-hazardous 16-01-18
Plastic Non-hazardous 16-01-19
Vehicle glass Non-hazardous 16-01-20
Contaminated materials
Waste
code
Clothing, absorbents or wiping cloths contaminated with hazardous substances Hazardous 15-02-02*
Clothing, absorbents or wiping clothes contaminated with non-hazardous Non-

15-02-03
substances hazardous
6. Healthcare and related wastes

The tables below list waste codes for common healthcare and related wastes.
Additional guidance
Check the guide to the safe management of healthcare waste (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-the-
safe-management-of-healthcare-waste) for additional information about classifying clinical and healthcare waste.
Offensive waste
Offensive waste is non-clinical waste thats non-infectious and doesnt contain pharmaceutical or chemical substances,
but may be unpleasant to anyone who comes into contact with it.
Waste Human Animal

Waste type
status healthcare healthcare
Healthcare offensive waste, eg outer dressings and protective clothing like

Non-
masks, gowns and gloves that arent contaminated with body fluids, and 18-01-04 18-02-03
hazardous
sterilised laboratory waste
Waste Human Animal
Waste type
status healthcare healthcare
Municipal offensive waste, eg hygiene waste and sanitary protection like Non-
20-01-99 20-01-99
nappies and incontinence pads hazardous
You must segregate healthcare offensive waste from both clinical and mixed municipal wastes.
If youve produced more than 7kg of municipal offensive waste, or have more than one bag in a collection period, you
must segregate it from any mixed municipal waste.
If youve produced less, you can dispose of your municipal offensive waste in your mixed municipal waste (black bag).
Use classication code 20-03-01.
Plaster and similar wastes

Most plaster waste is non-infectious.
It should be kept separately from any plaster waste thats infectious, which must be placed in the bagged infectious
clinical waste stream.
Human Animal
healthcare healthcare
Plaster and similar wastes, eg from dentistry and fracture Non-

18-01-04 18-02-03
clinics hazardous
Waste medicines
A medicine is considered to be cytotoxic or cytostatic for waste classication purposes if its any of the following:
acutely toxic
carcinogenic
mutagenic
toxic for reproduction
Waste type Waste status Human healthcare Animal healthcare
Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines Hazardous 18-01-08* 18-02-07*
Other medicines Non-hazardous 18-01-09 18-02-08
Household medicines returned to a community pharmacy should be coded as follows:
cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines: 20-01-31*

other medicines: 20-01-32
Sharps and related waste

Cytotoxic and cytostatic contaminated Hazardous 18-01-08* and 18-01-03* 18-02-07* and 18-02-02*
Other medicinally contaminated Hazardous 18-01-03* and 18-01-09 18-02-02* and 18-02-08
Non-medicinally contaminated Hazardous 18-01-03* 18-02-02*
Anatomical waste
Not chemically preserved - infectious Hazardous 18-01-03* 18-02-02*
Non-
Not chemically preserved - non-infectious 18-01-02 18-02-03
hazardous
Chemically preserved - infectious or non- 18-01-06* and 18-01- 18-02-05* and 18-02-
Hazardous
infectious 02*/03 02*/03
Bagged clinical waste

You must only put waste items that are both infectious and chemically contaminated (eg some samples and diagnostic
kits) in the yellow bag waste stream.
Waste
Waste type Human healthcare Animal healthcare
status
Infectious clinical waste (no chemicals or

Hazardous 18-01-03* 18-02-02*
pharmaceuticals) - orange bag
18-01-03* and 18- 18-02-02* and 18-

Infectious clinical waste - yellow bag Hazardous
01-06* 02-05*
Laboratory chemicals and photochemicals

You must classify photochemicals and lm, including X-ray related products, with codes from chapter 9 of the waste
code section in the technical guidance on waste (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-classication-technical-
guidance).
Other chemicals - hazardous Hazardous 18-01-06* 18-02-05*
Other chemicals - non-hazardous Non-hazardous 18-01-07 18-02-06

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GOV.

Classify different types of waste

Classifying your waste will help you:

decide how to handle it

What to include in your description

You must consider all the waste your business produces.

If you cant nd a code for your waste

Check the technical guidance on waste (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-classication-technical-guidance) -

How to nd out if your waste is hazardous

Check how to mix and store hazardous waste (https://www.gov.uk/hazardous-waste-segregation-and-mixing).

If you need more help

For more information, contact the Environment Agency.

2. Construction and demolition waste

Insulation and asbestos materials

Waste type Waste status Waste code

Insulation containing asbestos Hazardous 17-06-01*

Other insulation containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-06-03*

Other insulation materials Non-hazardous 17-06-04

Other construction materials containing asbestos Hazardous 17-06-05*

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics (alone or in mixtures) containing hazardous

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Wood, glass and plastic

Waste type Waste status Waste code

Treated wood, glass, plastic (alone or in mixtures) containing hazardous

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Bituminous mixtures, coal tar and tar

Waste type Waste status Waste code

Bituminous mixtures containing coal tar Hazardous 17-03-01*

Other bituminous mixtures Non-hazardous 17-03-02

Coal tar and tarred products Hazardous 17-03-03*

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Metallic waste, including cable

Waste type Waste status Waste code

Copper, bronze and brass Non-hazardous 17-04-01

Aluminium Non-hazardous 17-04-02

Lead Non-hazardous 17-04-03

Iron and steel Non-hazardous 17-04-05

Tin Non-hazardous 17-04-06

Mixed metals Non-hazardous 17-04-07

Metals containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-04-09*

Other cables Non-hazardous 17-04-11

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Soil, contaminated soil, stones and dredging spoil

Waste type Waste status Waste code

Soil and stones containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-05-03*

Other soil and stones Non-hazardous 17-05-04

Dredging spoil containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-05-05*

Other dredging spoil Non-hazardous 17-05-06

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Waste type Waste status Waste code

Gypsum materials containing hazardous substances Hazardous 17-08-01*

Other gypsum materials Non-hazardous 17-08-02

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Waste type Waste status Waste code

Un-used or un-set cement Hazardous 17-09-03*

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Paints and varnishes

Containing organic solvents or

Not containing organic solvents Non-

Paint or varnish remover Hazardous 08-01-21*

Refer to packaging waste and recyclables section

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.