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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
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.
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.
12 01 07* — mineral-based machining oils free of halogens (except emulsions and solutions)
EWC / LoW 12 01 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.
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.
12 01 08* — machining emulsions and solutions containing halogens
EWC / LoW 12 01 08*
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.
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.
12 01 09* — machining emulsions and solutions free of halogens
EWC / LoW 12 01 09*
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a WM3 absolute non-hazardous entry. For waste that fits the official description and source activity, the non-hazardous status is fixed; waste from a different source or of a different type may require another code.
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 non-hazardous entry. Confirm that the waste fits this entry rather than another description.
The correct List of Waste code depends on the activity and process that produced the waste and, where required, the evidence supporting its classification.
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.
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.
12 01 15 — machining sludges other than those mentioned in 12 01 14
EWC / LoW 12 01 15
This is the non-hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, with the relevant assessment supporting use of the non-hazardous entry.
WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
This is the non-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.
12 01 16* — waste blasting material containing hazardous substances
EWC / LoW 12 01 16*
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.
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.
12 01 17 — waste blasting material other than those mentioned in 12 01 16
EWC / LoW 12 01 17
This is the non-hazardous side of a WM3 mirror entry. The source and official description must fit, with the relevant assessment supporting use of the non-hazardous entry.
WM3 reference information. A matching description alone does not establish the correct classification for a particular waste.
Waste classification notes
This is the non-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.
12 01 18* — metal sludge (grinding, honing and lapping sludge) containing oil
EWC / LoW 12 01 18*
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.
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.
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.
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.
