Business waste descriptions must include:

• The List of Waste (LoW) or the EWC code (European Waste Catalogue).
• Whether it is hazardous or non-hazardous.
• The type of business or premises, and the type of process, that produced the waste.
• The name of the substance (or substances).
• A chemical and physical analysis.
• Information on any special problems, knowledge, or other requirements relating to the waste.

The Environment Agency produce waste classification technical guidance on how to assess and classify waste. It can help if you cannot find a code for your waste or you need information on classification, hazardous materials, or waste sampling.

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Asbestos and Insulation Materials

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Insulation that contains asbestos	Hazardous	17-06-01*
Other insulation that contains hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-06-03*
Other insulation materials	Non-hazardous	17-06-04
Other construction materials that contain asbestos	Hazardous	17-06-05*

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Bricks, Ceramics, Concrete, and Tiles

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Concrete	Non-hazardous	17-01-01
Bricks	Non-hazardous	17-01-02
Ceramics and tiles	Non-hazardous	17-01-03
Bricks, ceramics, concrete, and tiles (alone or in mixtures) that contain hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-01-06*
Bricks, ceramics, concrete, and tiles in mixtures that DO NOT contain hazardous substances	Non-hazardous	17-01-07

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Glass, Plastic, and Wood

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Wood (untreated)	Non-hazardous	17-02-01
Glass (uncontaminated)	Non-hazardous	17-02-02
Plastic (excludes packaging waste)	Non-hazardous	17-02-03
Treated glass, plastic, or wood (alone or in mixtures) that contains hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-02-04*

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Note: See the packaging section below for details on packaging wastes and domestic type recyclables.

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Bituminous Mixtures, Coal Tar, and Tar

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Bituminous mixtures that contain coal tar	Hazardous	17-03-01*
Other bituminous mixtures	Non-hazardous	17-03-02
Coal tar and tarred products	Hazardous	17-03-03*

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Metallic Waste (includes cable)

TYPE OF 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 that contain hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-04-09*
Cables that contain oil, coal tar, and other hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-04-10*
Other cables	Non-hazardous	17-04-11

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Soil, Contaminated Soil, Dredging Spoil, and Stones

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Soil and stones that contain hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-05-03*
Other soil and stones	Non-hazardous	17-05-04
Dredging spoil that contains hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-05-05*
Other dredging spoil	Non-hazardous	17-05-06

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Note: To classify soil as non-hazardous you need to be able to prove it does not contain any hazardous substances. You always need to assess the soil before handing it over for collection.

The presence of any fragments of asbestos-containing material in the soil will result in a mixed hazardous waste. See the table on insulation and asbestos materials for further guidance.

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Gypsum

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Gypsum materials that contain hazardous substances	Hazardous	17-08-01*
Other gypsum materials	Non-hazardous	17-08-02

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Cement

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Unused or unset cement	Hazardous	17-09-03*

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Paints and Varnishes

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances	Hazardous	08-01-11* (20-01-27*)
Not containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances	Non-hazardous	08-01-12 (20-01-28)
Paint or varnish remover	Hazardous	08-01-21*
Paint cans	Hazardous	See packaging waste and recyclables table

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Note: As a rule, you can classify paints and varnishes used by householders under the codes in brackets (if separated from other waste).

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Adhesives and Sealants

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	WASTE CODE
Containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances	Hazardous	08-04-09* (20-01-27*)
Not containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances	Non-hazardous	08-04-10 (20-01-28)
Adhesive or sealant containers	Hazardous	See packaging waste and recyclables table

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Note: As a rule, classify adhesives and sealants used by householders under the codes in brackets (if separated from other waste).

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Packaging Waste and Recyclables

TYPE OF WASTE	STATUS	PAPER/CARDBOARD	PLASTIC	METAL	GLASS	TEXTILES
Clean packaging	Non-hazardous	15-01-01	15-01-02	15-01-04	15-01-07	15-01-09
Other clean material, unmixed (excludes packaging)	Non-hazardous	20-01-01	20-01-39	20-01-40	20-01-02	20-01-11
Mixed clean material (including packaging)	Non-hazardous	15-01-01 and 20-01-01	15-01-02 and 20-01-39	15-01-04 and 20-01-40	15-01-07 and 20-01-02	15-01-09 and 20-01-10
Empty packaging contaminated with residues of hazardous substances (e.g. paint cans, drums, and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs))	Hazardous	15-01-10*	15-01-10*	15-01-10*	15-01-10*	15-01-10*
Empty packaging contaminated with residues of non-hazardous substances	Non-hazardous	15-01-01	15-01-02	15-01-04	15-01-07	15-01-09

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Note: All containers need to be empty to be classified as packaging waste.

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