Scrap metal EWC code 17 04 05 for iron and steel, 17 04 07 for mixed metals from building work.
- Free, no account
- Based on the UK List of Waste and GOV.UK guidance
- Nothing is stored
Find an EWC code
Metal: 10 codes.
Metal
Only use a not-hazardous code if an assessment shows the waste isn’t hazardous. If you can’t tell, use the hazardous one.
Not hazardousConstruction and demolition
Mixed metals
Not hazardousConstruction and demolition
Iron and steel
Not hazardousConstruction and demolition
Copper, bronze or brass
Not hazardousConstruction and demolition
Aluminium
Not hazardousConstruction and demolition
Lead
Not hazardousConstruction and demolition
Zinc
Not hazardousConstruction and demolition
Tin
HazardousConstruction and demolition
Metal waste contaminated with hazardous substances
Not hazardousHousehold-type, collected separately
Metal that isn’t from building work, collected separately
Not hazardousPackaging
Empty metal tins and drums with no hazardous residue
171 more codes in the full list mention “Metal”
Not hazardousVehicles and vehicle repair
Ferrous metal
Not hazardousVehicles and vehicle repair
Non-ferrous metal
HazardousSpent catalysts
Spent catalysts containing hazardous transition metals or hazardous transition metal compounds
If it isn’t hazardous, the non-hazardous code in 16 08 that fits: .
Not hazardousSpent catalysts
Spent catalysts containing transition metals or transition metal compounds NOT otherwise specified
If it’s hazardous, the hazardous code in 16 08 that fits: or .
HazardousMetal ore processing
Other waste containing hazardous substances from physical and chemical processing of metalliferous minerals
If it isn’t hazardous: .
Not hazardousFarming and forestry
Waste metal
HazardousSalts and metal oxides
Solid salts and solutions containing heavy metals
If it isn’t hazardous: .
HazardousSalts and metal oxides
Metallic oxides containing heavy metals
If it isn’t hazardous: .
Which EWC code for each metal?
| Metal | Code |
|---|---|
| Copper, bronze and brass | 17 04 01 |
| Aluminium | 17 04 02 |
| Lead | 17 04 03 |
| Zinc | 17 04 04 |
| Iron and steel | 17 04 05 |
| Tin | 17 04 06 |
| Mixed metals | 17 04 07 |
| Contaminated with hazardous substances | 17 04 09* |
Any of them is 17 04 09* if an assessment finds it contaminated with hazardous substances, or if you can’t find out.
Is scrap cable hazardous waste?
Usually. GOV.UK says most electrical and telecoms cable that isn’t WEEE contains hazardous substances, so it needs an assessment before it can go as non-hazardous. Cable containing oil, coal tar or other hazardous substances is 17 04 10*. Cable shown not to is 17 04 11. Cable inside electrical equipment goes with the equipment: see WEEE codes.
When is metal 20 01 40 or 15 01 04 instead?
- Building and demolition metal
- 17 04, by metal, as above.
- Other metal collected separately
- 20 01 40, when it isn’t from building work or packaging.
- Empty tins and drums
- 15 01 04, or 15 01 10* with a hazardous residue.
- Metal sorted at a treatment site
- 19 12 02 for iron and steel, 19 12 03 for other metals.