EWC Codes Explained: How to Classify Your Business Waste
Every Waste Transfer Note in the UK must include a European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code — a six-digit number that classifies what kind of waste is being transferred. It's one of the most frequently missing fields on WTNs, and one of the easiest to get right once you understand the system.
The EWC code system originates from Commission Decision 2000/532/EC, retained in UK law after Brexit. The full catalogue contains over 800 codes, but most businesses only need 5–10.
How EWC codes are structured
Each code has six digits in three pairs:
- First two digits: The chapter — the broad industry or process that generated the waste
- Middle two digits: The sub-chapter — a more specific source within that industry
- Last two digits: The individual waste type
Example: 20 01 01
- 20 = Municipal wastes (household waste and similar commercial waste)
- 20 01 = Separately collected fractions
- 20 01 01 = Paper and cardboard
Codes ending in 99 are "wastes not otherwise specified" — use these only as a last resort when no more specific code fits.
EWC codes for common business waste
Office waste
| EWC Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 20 03 01 | Mixed municipal waste (general office waste) |
| 20 01 01 | Paper and cardboard |
| 20 01 39 | Plastics |
| 20 01 40 | Metals |
| 20 01 02 | Glass |
| 20 01 36 | Discarded electrical/electronic equipment (WEEE) |
| 20 03 07 | Bulky waste (furniture, large items) |
Food service and hospitality
| EWC Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 20 01 08 | Biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste |
| 20 01 25 | Edible oil and fat (cooking oil) |
| 15 01 06 | Mixed packaging waste |
| 15 01 01 | Paper and cardboard packaging |
| 15 01 02 | Plastic packaging |
Retail
| EWC Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 15 01 01 | Paper and cardboard packaging |
| 15 01 02 | Plastic packaging |
| 15 01 03 | Wooden packaging (pallets) |
| 15 01 06 | Mixed packaging |
| 20 01 39 | Plastics (non-packaging) |
Construction and maintenance
| EWC Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 17 01 07 | Mixed concrete, bricks, tiles |
| 17 02 01 | Wood |
| 17 02 03 | Plastic (from construction) |
| 17 04 07 | Mixed metals |
| 17 09 04 | Mixed construction and demolition waste |
Hazardous waste codes
Some EWC codes have an asterisk (*) suffix, indicating hazardous waste. Hazardous waste has additional legal requirements — separate storage, consignment notes (not WTNs), and licensed carriers/facilities.
Common hazardous codes in business settings:
| EWC Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 20 01 21* | Fluorescent tubes |
| 20 01 33* | Batteries containing lead, nickel-cadmium, or mercury |
| 20 01 35* | Discarded electrical equipment containing hazardous components |
| 08 01 11* | Waste paint containing organic solvents |
| 13 02 08* | Other engine, gear, and lubricating oils |
If you produce hazardous waste, you must register with the Environment Agency as a hazardous waste producer (premises producing over 500kg per year) and use consignment notes instead of WTNs.
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How to choose the right code
- Identify the source. Where did the waste come from? An office (chapter 20), packaging (chapter 15), construction (chapter 17)?
- Find the sub-chapter. Narrow down by collection type — separately collected (20 01), commingled (20 03), specific packaging (15 01).
- Match the specific waste type. Paper (01), plastics (39), glass (02), etc.
- Check for hazardous properties. If the waste might be hazardous, look for the asterisk (*) code variant.
- Default to the most specific code. Don't use 20 03 01 (mixed municipal waste) if a more specific code applies to the waste stream.
What goes wrong with EWC codes
Using the wrong chapter. Packaging waste from a shop should use chapter 15 (packaging) codes, not chapter 20 (municipal) codes. The chapter matters because it determines how the waste should be treated at the receiving facility.
Defaulting to 20 03 01. This is the catch-all "mixed municipal waste" code. Some carriers put it on every WTN. It should only be used for genuinely mixed general waste that hasn't been separated.
Missing the hazardous classification. Fluorescent tubes are hazardous waste (20 01 21*). Many office managers don't realise this and dispose of them as general WEEE (20 01 36). The wrong classification could mean the waste goes to a facility not equipped to handle it.
Not matching the WTN description. If your WTN says "paper and cardboard" but the EWC code is 20 03 01 (mixed waste), there's an inconsistency. The description and code must align.
EWC codes and Digital Waste Tracking
When Digital Waste Tracking launches, EWC codes will be a mandatory field in the digital system. Getting your codes right now means less friction when the digital mandate arrives.
The digital system will likely offer a searchable code picker, making it easier to find the right code. Until then, the tables above cover the most common business waste types.
Further resources
- Full EWC code list: Legislation.gov.uk — List of Wastes
- Hazardous waste guidance: GOV.UK — Classify different types of waste
- Waste Transfer Note requirements: Our WTN guide
This guide is for general information only. EWC code classification can be complex — if you are unsure about the correct code for your waste, consult your waste carrier or a qualified waste management consultant.