Every waste transfer note in the UK needs an EWC code. If you’ve ever stared at a carbon copy book wondering what 6-digit number to put in that box, this guide is for you.
What are EWC codes?
EWC stands for European Waste Catalogue. You’ll also hear them called List of Waste codes or LoW codes — same thing, different name.
They’re 6-digit codes that classify every type of waste. Soil has a code. Timber has a code. Mixed construction rubble has a code. Even waste from dental practices has a code (18 01 01, if you were wondering).
These codes are a legal requirement. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 say you must include the correct EWC code on every Waste Transfer Note. Wrong code? That’s a potential fine of up to £5,000.
How the codes are structured
EWC codes have three levels. Once you understand the pattern, they start to make sense.
Take 17 09 04 (mixed construction and demolition waste):
- 17 — the chapter. This means “construction and demolition waste.” The first two digits tell you the industry or source.
- 09 — the sub-chapter. Within construction waste, this covers “other construction and demolition waste.”
- 04 — the specific waste type. In this case, “mixed construction and demolition wastes other than those mentioned in 17 09 01, 17 09 02 and 17 09 03.”
You don’t need to memorise all this. But knowing the structure helps when you’re searching for the right code.
Hazardous vs non-hazardous
Some EWC codes have an asterisk (*) next to them. That means the waste is classified as hazardous. For example:
- 17 06 01* — Insulation materials containing asbestos (hazardous)
- 17 06 04 — Insulation materials not containing asbestos (non-hazardous)
Same waste category, different hazard classification. If your waste is hazardous, you need a consignment note on top of the WTN, and you must keep records for 3 years instead of 2.
Some codes have “mirror entries” — one hazardous version and one non-hazardous version of the same waste. You need to assess which applies. When in doubt, treat it as hazardous until you can prove otherwise.
Most common EWC codes for waste carriers
If you run skips, clearances, or general waste collection, you’ll use these codes regularly:
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 17 09 04 | Mixed construction & demolition waste |
| 20 03 01 | Mixed municipal waste |
| 17 05 04 | Soil and stones (non-hazardous) |
| 17 01 07 | Mixed concrete, bricks, tiles |
| 20 01 01 | Paper and cardboard |
| 17 02 01 | Wood |
| 17 02 02 | Glass |
| 17 04 07 | Mixed metals |
| 20 01 39 | Plastics |
| 17 06 04 | Insulation materials (non-hazardous) |
| 20 02 01 | Garden and park waste |
| 17 08 02 | Gypsum-based construction materials (e.g. plasterboard) |
This covers the majority of what skip hire operators and clearance companies handle day-to-day.
Need a code that’s not on this list? Use our free EWC code lookup. Type what the waste is — “plasterboard,” “tyres,” “paint” — and it’ll find the right 6-digit code. Try searching “17 09 04” to see how it works.
How to find the right code
Here’s the process:
1. Identify the source. Where did the waste come from? A construction site? A household clearance? An office? This narrows down the chapter (first 2 digits).
2. Identify the material. What is the waste actually made of? Concrete, timber, soil, mixed rubbish? This narrows down the sub-chapter and specific code.
3. Check if it’s hazardous. Does it contain asbestos, lead paint, chemicals, contaminated soil? If yes, you need the hazardous variant (the one with the asterisk).
4. Use the most specific code available. Don’t default to 17 09 04 (mixed construction waste) if you’re actually carrying a skip of pure timber. 17 02 01 (wood) is more accurate. The EA prefers specificity.
Or — skip all that and type what the waste is into our free lookup tool. It searches the full EWC database and gives you the matching codes instantly.
What happens if you use the wrong code
Using the wrong EWC code on a waste transfer note isn’t a paperwork technicality. It’s a compliance failure.
- Fines up to £5,000 per incorrect note under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
- EA inspections focus on EWC accuracy. Inspectors know the common codes. If you’re carrying plasterboard and your note says 17 09 04 instead of 17 08 02, they’ll notice.
- Receiving sites can reject your load. If the EWC code on your note doesn’t match what you’re tipping, the transfer station can turn you away. That’s a wasted trip, wasted fuel, and an unhappy customer.
EWC codes and DEFRA digital waste tracking
From October 2026, DEFRA’s digital waste tracking system goes live.
For EWC codes specifically, the change is significant: the digital system validates codes in real time. You can’t submit a transfer with an invalid or blank EWC code. No more scribbling something illegible and hoping for the best.
This is actually good news. With the right software, the code fills in automatically. In WTN App, your drivers tap the waste type and the EWC code populates itself. No memorisation. No guessing. No risk of a wrong code on an inspection.
If you’re still on paper, at least make sure you’re using the right codes now. Look up your codes here — it’s free, no signup required. And when you need to put those codes on a waste transfer note, our free WTN generator creates a properly formatted PDF with the EWC code field included.
Get the codes right now and the digital transition will be painless. Get them wrong and you’re building a stack of liabilities that the new system will make very easy to find.