EWC Code Finder
Search a waste description or EWC code and talk to us about collection. We can help with waste assessment and arrange any sampling or site checks needed.
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Unsure of the waste code? Describe the material and where it came from. We can help with the assessment.
Ask usHow can we help?
Complete the form and we will get back to you.
Finding a candidate waste code
Search a material or a six-digit code. The activity that produced the waste matters as much as the description. A matching entry is a candidate for assessment, rather than confirmation that it applies to your waste.
Hazardous and mirror entries
Some entries are hazardous or non-hazardous by their description. Mirror entries require assessment of the waste and its hazardous properties. We can help establish the composition information and arrange sampling or testing where needed.
Collection paperwork
Waste transfer or hazardous waste consignment records depend on the waste and jurisdiction. We can help prepare the information needed for collection. The tool does not replace classification or approve a carrier or receiving site.
Starting with the information you have
Tell us the material, approximate quantity, site postcode and the process it came from. Photographs, labels and safety data sheets are useful if available. You can contact us while the waste code is still being established.
Waste-code questions
Can I contact you without completing the tool?
Unsure of the waste code? Describe the material and where it came from. We can help with the assessment. You can enquire directly; completing the tool is optional.
Can I choose a code to make waste non-hazardous?
No. The source, description and applicable assessment determine which entry fits. Selecting a non-hazardous code cannot change the composition or hazardous properties of a waste.
Who is responsible for the waste code?
The producer or holder must ensure that the waste is classified and described correctly. If you are unsure, WM3 advises seeking advice from a competent person. They will need accurate information about the waste and how it arose.
Must I register to carry my own business waste?
In England, you must register as a waste carrier if you carry your own business waste regularly. The registration tier depends on the waste and activity. Check the relevant regulator's guidance for work elsewhere.
Does a carrier registration mean the company can take my waste?
No. A waste carrier registration is not a permit for a receiving site. Check the business identity and registration, and confirm that the receiving site is authorised and willing to accept the actual waste.
Does the finder cover Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
The code reference uses the Great Britain edition of WM3, which applies in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland publishes a separate WM3 edition. Movement and paperwork requirements differ by nation. The carrier link opens the Environment Agency register for England.
Sources and limits
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. WM3 descriptions and entry types are reference data; explanatory wording is ours. No official endorsement is implied. The carrier link opens the Environment Agency’s own register.
- WM3 waste classification technical guidance
List of Waste entries and assessment guidance for Great Britain.
- DAERA: Northern Ireland WM3
Separate Northern Ireland waste classification guidance.
- GOV.UK: business waste responsibilities
England duty of care and transfer documentation.
- GOV.UK: hazardous waste
England hazardous waste responsibilities and national links.
- Environment Agency waste carriers register
Registration records for England.
- Open Government Licence v3.0
WM3 public sector information reused with attribution.
Published by Environmental Services. Sources checked 13 September 2026. Editorial policy.
If a result looks wrong, please tell us so we can check the tool against its sources.
Talk to us about the work
Unsure of the waste code? Describe the material and where it came from. We can help with the assessment.