Home Rules Legal Environment Waste Classification › Construction and Demolition
Construction and Demolition Waste Codes

Common construction and demolition waste includes materials and substances like bricks, ceramics, and concrete. The tables list most waste codes for construction waste disposed of in United Kingdom.

Review the technical guidance for additional classifications not found in these waste code tables. The asterisk (*) at the end of a code signifies that the waste is hazardous.

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.

 


 

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*

 


 

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

 


 

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*

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

 


 

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*

 


 

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 (Lead Testing Kit) 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

 


 

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

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.

 


 

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

 


 

Cement

 

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

 


 

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

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

 


 

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

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

 


 

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

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

 


 

List of Waste Codes for Construction and Demolition Waste in United Kingdom