# Japanese knotweed EWC code There’s no knotweed code. Code the soil and plants, and name knotweed on the note.

> Japanese knotweed EWC code: there’s no code of its own. How to code the soil and plant waste, what to write on the note and where it can go.
> Web page: https://complyonsite.com/tools/ewc-code-finder?waste=japanese-knotweed

- Free, no account
- Based on the UK List of Waste and GOV.UK guidance
- Nothing is stored

## Which EWC code do you use for knotweed waste?

The List of Waste has no code for invasive plants, so the waste is coded as what it is. For soil, 17 05 04 covers soil and stones shown not to be hazardous, and 17 05 03* the rest. For cut plant material on its own, 20 02 01 covers biodegradable waste from gardens and parks. Write “Japanese knotweed” in the description on the transfer note, and confirm the code with your waste contractor before it leaves site.

## What must you do before knotweed leaves site?

- Use a registered waste carrier.
- Check in advance that the landfill or incinerator has a permit to take invasive plants.
- Cover or enclose the load so none of it can escape.
- Brush down or jet-wash vehicles afterwards.
- Never mix it with other surplus soil, or sell soil with knotweed in it as topsoil.

## Can you burn or bury knotweed on site?

In England, yes, with notice. To burn it, get a D7 exemption and tell the Environment Agency at least a week before, and the council’s environmental health officer too. Crowns and rhizomes can survive burning, so what’s left may still need burying or taking off site. To bury it, tell the Environment Agency at least a month before.

### Sources

- [List of Waste, as retained in UK law (legislation.gov.uk)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2000/532/annex)
- [GOV.UK, How to stop Japanese knotweed from spreading](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-japanese-knotweed-from-spreading)
- [NetRegs, Disposing of invasive plants and contaminated soils off site](https://www.netregs.org.uk/environmental-topics/land/japanese-knotweed-giant-hogweed-and-other-invasive-weeds/disposing-of-invasive-plants-and-contaminated-soils-off-site/)

The knotweed rules here are England’s. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own guidance.