This reference index contains all 842 six-digit entries in the WM3 GB waste-classification reference. An asterisk identifies a hazardous entry. Mirror entries need the relevant hazardous-property assessment before the correct member of the pair can be selected. Code selection is based on the activity and process that produced the waste, not simply on words that happen to match a description.
Waste classification is separate from dangerous-goods transport classification and from a receiving facility’s acceptance checks. WM3 GB applies in England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Ireland uses its own WM3 version and regulatory arrangements.
Code descriptions are reproduced from WM3, with Crown copyright material used under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Finding the correct List of Waste code
Search by waste description or six-digit code. Spaces and hyphens are accepted. Chapter and WM3 entry-type filters narrow the list, but code selection still depends on the activity and process that produced the waste.
- Waste origin: the business activity and process that produced the material.
- Composition: known substances, contaminants and representative analysis where available.
- Code information: the full six-digit entry and any hazardous asterisk shown in existing records.
- Waste movement: quantity, container type and the documentation required before collection.
Reference sources for the waste code library
These sources explain the WM3 classification framework, legal responsibilities for waste classification and general pollution-prevention duties. They are reference material only. The correct classification depends on the waste itself and the jurisdiction in which it is produced.
Waste code guides
Chapter 19
19 08 06* — saturated or spent ion exchange resins
EWC / LoW 19 08 06*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 19
19 08 07* — solutions and sludges from regeneration of ion exchangers
EWC / LoW 19 08 07*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 19
19 08 10* — grease and oil mixture from oil/water separation other than those mentioned in 19 08 09
EWC / LoW 19 08 10*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 19
19 11 01* — spent filter clays
EWC / LoW 19 11 01*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 19
19 11 02* — acid tars
EWC / LoW 19 11 02*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 19
19 11 03* — aqueous liquid wastes
EWC / LoW 19 11 03*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 19
19 11 04* — wastes from cleaning of fuel with bases
EWC / LoW 19 11 04*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 19
19 11 07* — wastes from flue-gas cleaning
EWC / LoW 19 11 07*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 13* — solvents
EWC / LoW 20 01 13*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 14* — acids
EWC / LoW 20 01 14*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 15* — alkalines
EWC / LoW 20 01 15*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 17* — photochemicals
EWC / LoW 20 01 17*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 19* — pesticides
EWC / LoW 20 01 19*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 21* — fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing waste
EWC / LoW 20 01 21*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 23* — discarded equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons
EWC / LoW 20 01 23*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 26* — oil and fat other than those mentioned in 20 01 25
EWC / LoW 20 01 26*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 31* — cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines
EWC / LoW 20 01 31*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 33* — batteries and accumulators included in 16 06 01, 16 06 02 or 16 06 03 and unsorted batteries and accumulators containing these batteries
EWC / LoW 20 01 33*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote
Chapter 20
20 01 35* — discarded electrical and electronic equipment other than those mentioned in 20 01 21 and 20 01 23 containing hazardous components
EWC / LoW 20 01 35*
This is a WM3 absolute hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
Environment Agency: WM3 ↗WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
- WM3 identifies this as an absolute hazardous entry. Confirm the waste fits the description and source activity.
- The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
Environment Agency: WM3
Get a quote