EWC codes: the complete list of waste

EWC codes come from the List of Waste, the catalogue that gives every type of waste a six-digit number. The same catalogue is also called the European Waste Catalogue, which is why the codes are usually written as EWC codes. Each number describes one waste stream, so a load of mixed construction waste and a drum of waste oil carry completely different codes.

Waste transfer notes have always been required to identify the waste by its EWC code, and digital waste tracking submissions use the same code. This library lists all 759 codes in chapters 01 to 20, grouped by chapter and by the group they belong to, with the hazardous ones marked.

Chapter 01 Mine and quarry wastes 21 codes Chapter 02 Agriculture, horticulture and food processing wastes 37 codes Chapter 03 Wood processing, pulp, paper and cardboard wastes 16 codes Chapter 04 Leather, fur and textile industry wastes 17 codes Chapter 05 Petroleum refining, gas purification and coal treatment wastes 20 codes Chapter 06 Inorganic chemical process wastes 38 codes Chapter 07 Organic chemical process wastes 71 codes Chapter 08 Coating, adhesive, sealant and printing ink wastes 37 codes Chapter 09 Photographic industry wastes 11 codes Chapter 10 Thermal process wastes 134 codes Chapter 11 Chemical surface treatment and metal coating wastes 25 codes Chapter 12 Shaping and surface treatment of metals and plastics 23 codes Chapter 13 Oil wastes and waste liquid fuels 34 codes Chapter 14 Organic solvents, refrigerants and propellants 5 codes Chapter 15 Packaging, absorbents and wiping cloths 12 codes Chapter 16 Wastes not otherwise specified in the list 72 codes Chapter 17 Construction and demolition wastes 38 codes Chapter 18 Human and animal health care wastes 16 codes Chapter 19 Waste management facility and water treatment wastes 92 codes Chapter 20 Municipal and household waste 40 codes

Looking a code up by waste type

If you know the waste but not the number, the EWC code lookup tool searches the whole catalogue by waste type, industry or code number and copies the code for you. When you have the code, the waste transfer note generator produces a printable note with that code on it.

Recording EWC codes on every load

LoadLog stores the EWC code against each load, checks the waste carrier, and submits the record to DEFRA's Digital Waste Tracking Service from the yard. Compliance Lite is free until the end of 2026 for sign-ups before October.

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