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WM3 waste descriptions and classification

List of Waste code library

A reference library for six-digit List of Waste codes, official WM3 descriptions and absolute or mirror entry types.

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842 reference records · 8 detailed guides

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

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173 matching records · Clear search

Chapter 16

16 05 04* — gases in pressure containers (including halons) containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 05 04*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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

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Chapter 16

16 05 07* — discarded inorganic chemicals consisting of or containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 05 07*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 05 08* — discarded organic chemicals consisting of or containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 05 08*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 07 08* — wastes containing oil

EWC / LoW 16 07 08*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 07 09* — wastes containing other hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 07 09*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 08 02* — spent catalysts containing hazardous transition metals or hazardous transition metal compounds

EWC / LoW 16 08 02*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 08 05* — spent catalysts containing phosphoric acid

EWC / LoW 16 08 05*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 08 07* — spent catalysts contaminated with hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 08 07*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 10 01* — aqueous liquid wastes containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 10 01*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 10 03* — aqueous concentrates containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 10 03*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 11 01* — carbon-based linings and refractories from metallurgical processes containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 11 01*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 11 03* — other linings and refractories from metallurgical processes containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 11 03*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 16

16 11 05* — linings and refractories from non-metallurgical processes containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 16 11 05*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 01 06* — mixtures of, or separate fractions of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 01 06*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 02 04* — glass, plastic and wood containing or contaminated with hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 02 04*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 03 01* — bituminous mixtures containing coal tar

EWC / LoW 17 03 01*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 04 09* — metal waste contaminated with hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 04 09*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 04 10* — cables containing oil, coal tar and other hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 04 10*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 05 05* — dredging spoil containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 05 05*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 05 07* — track ballast containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 05 07*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 06 01* — insulation materials containing asbestos

EWC / LoW 17 06 01*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 06 03* — other insulation materials consisting of or containing hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 06 03*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 06 05* — construction materials containing asbestos

EWC / LoW 17 06 05*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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 17

17 08 01* — gypsum-based construction materials contaminated with hazardous substances

EWC / LoW 17 08 01*

This is the hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, and the relevant hazardous-property assessment is needed to decide between the mirror entries.

Environment Agency: WM3

WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.

Waste classification notes
  • This is the hazardous side of a mirror entry. The actual composition and assessment determine which entry applies.
  • 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

Published by Environmental Services. Sources checked 12 September 2026. Editorial standards for this library.

If you identify a factual error in this library, please contact us so we can check it against the source.

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