Free EWC Code Checker and Finder
Use this free EWC code checker to find the right 6-digit waste code fast. Search by keyword, chapter or code to see the full List of Wastes entry, whether it's hazardous and any mirror entries to watch for, then copy it straight into your records.
Loading codes… · * hazardous · M mirror entry. Always confirm against the official List of Wastes.
| Code | Description |
|---|
How to Use the EWC Code Checker
Type a keyword, a chapter number or a code into the search box above to find matching entries from the List of Wastes. Each result shows the full 6-digit EWC code, its description and the chapter it belongs to, so you can check it against your own record before you use it.
If you're not sure what you're looking for, search by the material or activity, such as "WEEE" or "construction", and narrow down from the results.
Hazardous and Mirror Entries
Codes marked hazardous (*) in the List of Wastes need extra care, including separate storage and consignment note paperwork rather than a standard waste transfer note. Some waste types have mirror entries, a hazardous version and a non-hazardous version of what looks like the same material, and the right one depends on its actual composition, not just its description.
Where a mirror pair exists, the checker shows both entries together, so you can see the distinction rather than guessing from the description alone.
Most-Searched Codes by Sector
Different sectors tend to use the same handful of codes repeatedly: construction and demolition businesses often look for chapter 17 codes, house clearance and waste receiving sites commonly use chapter 20 municipal waste codes, and waste oil collectors use the chapter 13 and 20 codes for oils. Use the search above to jump straight to your sector's codes rather than scrolling the full list.
Getting Codes Right in Digital Waste Tracking
Getting the EWC code right matters more under digital waste tracking, because a missing or incorrect code is one of the validation errors that can stop a submission to the Receipt of Waste API going through inside the 2 working day deadline. It also affects whether disposal or recovery (R and D) codes are applied correctly further down the chain.
This checker is a quick reference, not a legal determination; always confirm the final code against the current List of Wastes, particularly for hazardous or mirror entries. For how this fits into reporting, see our Defra API integration or get in touch if you need help setting it up.
Related
We don't sell boxes of software. We build the app your business actually needs.
Book a free, no-obligation demo and talk it through with someone who understands commercial waste management.
Try the tool