European Waste Catalogue

The European Waste Catalogue (EWC) is a list of waste types, established by the European Commission Decision 2000/532/EC1, which categorises wastes based on a combination of what they are, and the process or activity that produces them. It provides a standard framework for the comparison of waste data (statistics) across all member states. The EWC is used in several reports including quarterly/annual waste data returns to SEPA, the EA and NIEA waste transfer notes and Hazardous Waste consignment notes [1].

The EWC is divided into 20 chapters, most of which are industry-based, although some are based on materials and processes. Individual waste types are assigned a six-digit code so as an example:


  • 10 02 13*


  • the first two digits specify the chapter (i.e. 10 waste from thermal processes)
  • the next two specify the subchapter (i.e 02 wastes from the iron and steel industry) and
  • the last two are specific to the waste type (i.e.13 sludges and filter cakes from gas treatment containing hazardous substances) and finally
  • Hazardous Waste is signified by entries where the six-digit EWC code is marked by an asterisk (*)[1] on the last two digits.

STAT codes and SOC codes are used for reporting consolidated EWC codes, grouping similar codes from different origins/processing activity into a single category such as Chemical Waste or Industrial Effluents and Sludges.

The following table lists the headline chapters, each chapter then has a page which further details the subchapter and waste type relevant to the chapter.

EWC Chapters

Code Classification Short Classification
01 Wastes Resulting From Exploration, Mining, Quarrying, And Physical And Chemical Treatment Of Minerals Mining And Minerals
02 Wastes From Agriculture, Horticulture, Aquaculture, Forestry, Hunting And Fishing, Food Preparation And Processing Agricultural And Food Production
03 Wastes From Wood Processing And The Production Of Panels And Furniture, Pulp, Paper And Cardboard Wood And Paper Production
04 Wastes From The Leather, Fur And Textile Industry Leather And Textile Production
05 Wastes From Petroleum Refining, Natural Gas Purification And Pyrolytic Treatment Of Coal Petrol, Gas And Coal Refining/Treatment
06 Wastes From Inorganic Chemical Processes Inorganic Chemical Processes
07 Wastes From Organic Chemical Processes Organic Chemical Processes
08 Wastes From The Manufacture, Formulation, Supply And Use (MFSU) Of Coatings (Paints, Varnishes And Vitreous Enamels), Adhesive, Sealants And Printing Inks MFSU Paints, Varnish, Adhesive And Inks
09 Wastes From The Photographic Industry Photographic Industry
10 Wastes From Thermal Processes Thermal Process Waste (Inorganic)
11 Wastes From Chemical Surface Treatment And Coating Of Metals And Other Materials; Non-Ferrous Hydro-Metallurgy Metal Treatment And Coating Processes
12 Wastes From Shaping And Physical And Mechanical Surface Treatment Of Metals And Plastics Shaping/Treatment Of Metals And Plastics
13 Oil Wastes And Wastes Of Liquid Fuels (except edible oils, and those in chapters 05, 12 and 19) Oil And Oil/Water Mixtures
14 Waste Organic Solvents, Refrigerants And Propellants (except 07 and 08) Solvents
15 Waste Packaging, Absorbents, Wiping Cloths, Filter Materials And Protective Clothing Not Otherwise Specified Packaging, Cloths, Filter Materials
16 Waste Not Otherwise Specified In The List Not Otherwise Specified
17 Construction And Demolition Wastes (Including Excavated Soil From Contaminated Sites) C&D Waste And Asbestos
18 Wastes From Human Or Animal Health Care And/Or Related Research (except kitchen and restaurant wastes not arising from immediate health care) Healthcare
19 Wastes From Waste Management Facilities, Off-Site Waste Water Treatment Plants And The Preparation Of Water Intended For Human Consumption And Water For Industrial Use Waste/Water Treatment And Water Industry
20 Municipal Wastes (Household Waste And Similar Commercial, Industrial And Institutional Wastes) Including Separately Collected Fractions Municipal And Similar Commercial Wastes

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) (2015). Guidance on using the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) to code waste.