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.
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.
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.
17 04 11 — cables other than those mentioned in 17 04 10
EWC / LoW 17 04 11
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.
17 05 04 — soil and stones other than those mentioned in 17 05 03
EWC / LoW 17 05 04
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.
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.
17 05 06 — dredging spoil other than those mentioned in 17 05 05
EWC / LoW 17 05 06
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.
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.
17 05 08 — track ballast other than those mentioned in 17 05 07
EWC / LoW 17 05 08
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.
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.
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.
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.
17 06 04 — insulation materials other than those mentioned in 17 06 01 and 17 06 03
EWC / LoW 17 06 04
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
17 08 02 — gypsum-based construction materials other than those mentioned in 17 08 01
EWC / LoW 17 08 02
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.
17 09 01* — construction and demolition wastes containing mercury
EWC / LoW 17 09 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.
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.
17 09 02* — construction and demolition wastes containing PCB (for example PCB-containing sealants, PCB-containing resin-based floorings, PCB-containing sealed glazing units, PCB-containing capacitors)
EWC / LoW 17 09 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.
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.
17 09 03* — other construction and demolition wastes (including mixed wastes) containing hazardous substances
EWC / LoW 17 09 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.
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.
17 09 04 — mixed construction and demolition wastes other than those mentioned in 17 09 01, 17 09 02 and 17 09 03
EWC / LoW 17 09 04
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.
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.
18 01 02 — Body parts and organs including blood bags and blood preserves (except 18 01 03)
EWC / LoW 18 01 02
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.
18 01 03* — wastes whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection
EWC / LoW 18 01 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.
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.
18 01 04 — wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection(for example dressings, plaster casts, linen, disposable clothing, diapers)
EWC / LoW 18 01 04
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.
18 01 06* — chemicals consisting of or containing hazardous substances
EWC / LoW 18 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.
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.
18 01 07 — chemicals other than those mentioned in 18 01 06
EWC / LoW 18 01 07
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.
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.
