EWC Code Search
Enter some keywords to find the right EWC code for your waste:
Browse the EWC Code Hierarchy
The EWC is organized into 20 main chapters, each identified by a two-digit code (01 to 20). Most chapters are industry- or process-based (e.g., specific sectors like mining or agriculture), while some are material-based (e.g., packaging or end-of-life vehicles).
Use the options below to navigate to the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code for your waste. Start by selecting from the list of chapters below. Select the chapter that is most relevant to the waste you are trying to classify. Next, you should select from the list of sub chapters presented on the following page, again choosing the sub chapter that is most relevant to your waste. You will then be presented with a list of EWC Codes relevant to the chose chapter and sub chapter.
| Chapter | EWC Chapter Description |
|---|---|
| 01 |
Mining/Quarrying/Mineral Treatment
WASTES RESULTING FROM EXPLORATION, MINING, QUARRYING, AND PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF MINERALS
|
| 02 |
Agriculture/Hunting/Fishing/Food Processing
WASTES FROM AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FORESTRY, HUNTING AND FISHING, FOOD PREPARATION AND PROCESSING
|
| 03 |
Wood/Paper/Card Processing
WASTES FROM WOOD PROCESSING AND THE PRODUCTION OF PANELS AND FURNITURE, PULP, PAPER AND CARDBOARD
|
| 04 |
Leather/Fur/Textile Industry
WASTES FROM THE LEATHER, FUR AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES
|
| 05 |
Petroleum/Gas Production
WASTES FROM PETROLEUM REFINING, NATURAL GAS PURIFICATION AND PYROLYTIC TREATMENT OF COAL
|
| 06 |
Inorganic Chemical Processing
WASTES FROM INORGANIC CHEMICAL PROCESSES
|
| 07 |
Organic Chemical Processing
WASTES FROM ORGANIC CHEMICAL PROCESSES
|
| 08 |
MFSU of Coatings/Adhesives/Inks
WASTES FROM THE MANUFACTURE, FORMULATION, SUPPLY AND USE (MFSU) OF COATINGS (PAINTS, VARNISHES AND VITREOUS ENAMELS), ADHESIVES, SEALANTS AND PRINTING INKS
|
| 09 |
Photographic Industry
WASTES FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY
|
| 10 |
Thermal Processes
WASTES FROM THERMAL PROCESSES
|
| 11 |
Chemical Surface Treatment of Metals/Plastic
WASTES FROM CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT AND COATING OF METALS AND OTHER MATERIALS; NON-FERROUS HYDRO-METALLURGY
|
| 12 |
Shaping/Physical Treatment of Metals/Plastic
WASTES FROM SHAPING AND PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALS AND PLASTICS
|
| 13 |
Oil and Liquid Fuel Waste
OIL WASTES AND WASTES OF LIQUID FUELS (except edible oils, and those in chapters 05, 12 and 19)
|
| 14 |
Solvents, Refrigerants and Propellants
WASTE ORGANIC SOLVENTS, REFRIGERANTS AND PROPELLANTS (except 07 and 08)
|
| 15 |
Packaging, Absorbents, Wiping Cloths and Filters
WASTE PACKAGING; ABSORBENTS, WIPING CLOTHS, FILTER MATERIALS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
|
| 16 |
Other wastes from Industrial processes
WASTES NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE LIST
|
| 17 |
Construction and Demolition Waste
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTES (INCLUDING EXCAVATED SOIL FROM CONTAMINATED SITES)
|
| 18 |
Healthcare Waste
WASTES FROM HUMAN OR ANIMAL HEALTH CARE AND/OR RELATED RESEARCH (except kitchen and restaurant wastes not arising from immediate health care)
|
| 19 |
Materials from Waste and Water Treatment
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
|
| 20 |
Municipal Waste and Similar Materials From Commerce and Industry
MUNICIPAL WASTES (HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND SIMILAR COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL WASTES) INCLUDING SEPARATELY COLLECTED FRACTIONS
|