Classifying your wastes

For anybody in the waste industry, a working knowledge of European Waste Catalogue (EWC) codes is an invaluable asset. Not only does it speed up the enquiry process, but it is a legal requirement to include an EWC code in the transfer of waste.

This is because if you produce, carry, keep, dispose of, treat, import or have control of waste in England or Wales, then you have a legal obligation to meet your Duty of Care requirements as stipulated by the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The Duty of Care requires that the waste holder (producer, carrier or disposer) takes all reasonable steps to ensure that waste is described in a way that permits its safe handling and management. In addition, any transfer of waste must be accompanied by a written description of the waste including a European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code.

In recent months, the Bioresources team have been working with customers to improve the way in which wastes accepted by GENeco are described.

A first port of call is the useful document

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/427077/LIT_10121.pdf

which gives updated guidance on the classification and assessment of waste. It contains instructions on how to use the List of Waste (EWC code list) to ensure that the correct codes for wastes are identified.

We would like to remind all customers that all chapters of the List of Waste must be considered before using the more generic chapter 16 (or ‘99’ codes).

If you have any questions regarding the assignment of EWC codes or any other aspects of duty of care then don’t hesitate to get in contact with the GENeco Liquid Bioresources team by email or phone on info@geneco.uk.com or 01225 524560.