Construction and demolition waste: how to classify
Waste codes for common construction and demolition waste.
You must classify the waste your business produces before it is collected, disposed of or recovered.
You must do this to identify:
- if the waste is hazardous or not
- which controls apply to the movement of the waste – this is to prevent harm to people and the environment
(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.
Insulation and asbestos materials
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation containing asbestos | Hazardous | 17 06 01* |
| Other insulation containing hazardous substances | Hazardous | 17 06 03* |
| Other insulation materials not containing hazardous substances | Non-hazardous | 17 06 04 |
| Other construction materials containing asbestos | Hazardous | 17 06 05* |
Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics
This list excludes asbestos-containing materials. Check the insulation and asbestos materials table for any waste with asbestos.
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | Non-hazardous | 17 01 01 |
| Bricks | Non-hazardous | 17 01 02 |
| Tiles and ceramics | Non-hazardous | 17 01 03 |
| Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics (alone or in mixtures) containing hazardous substances | Hazardous | 17 01 06* |
| Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics in mixtures, containing no hazardous substances | Non-hazardous | 17 01 07 |
Wood, glass and plastic
This list excludes packaging wastes and domestic type recyclables – check the packaging waste and recyclables classification guide for related codes.
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Wood – untreated | Non-hazardous | 17 02 01 |
| Glass – uncontaminated | Non-hazardous | 17 02 02 |
| Plastic – excludes packaging waste | Non-hazardous | 17 02 03 |
| Treated wood, glass, plastic (alone or in mixtures) containing hazardous substances | Hazardous | 17 02 04* |
Bituminous mixtures, coal tar and tar
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Bituminous mixtures containing coal tar | Hazardous | 17 03 01* |
| Other bituminous mixtures | Non-hazardous | 17 03 02 |
| Coal tar and tarred products | Hazardous | 17 03 03* |
Metallic waste, including cable
Most waste electrical and telecommunications (non-WEEE) cable contains hazardous substances. To classify it as non-hazardous, you’ll need to do an assessment. Check the packaging waste and recyclables classification guide for instructions.
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Copper, bronze and brass | Non-hazardous | 17 04 01 |
| Aluminium | Non-hazardous | 17 04 02 |
| Lead | Non-hazardous | 17 04 03 |
| Zinc | Non-hazardous | 17 04 04 |
| Iron and steel | Non-hazardous | 17 04 05 |
| Tin | Non-hazardous | 17 04 06 |
| Mixed metals | Non-hazardous | 17 04 07 |
| Metals contaminated with hazardous substances | Hazardous | 17 04 09* |
| Cables containing oil, coal tar and other hazardous substances | Hazardous and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) | 17 04 10* |
| Waste electrical and telecommunications (non-WEEE) cable | Hazardous and POPs | 17 04 10* and 17 04 11 |
Soil, contaminated soil, stones and dredging spoil
You must be able to prove that your waste does not contain any hazardous substances to classify soil as non-hazardous. You will always need to assess the soil before you transfer it to another person.
The presence of any fragments of asbestos-containing material in the soil means it is mixed hazardous waste. Check the insulation and asbestos materials table for more guidance.
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and stones containing hazardous substances | Hazardous | 17 05 03* |
| Soil and stones not containing hazardous substances | Non-hazardous | 17 05 04 |
| Dredging spoil containing hazardous substances | Hazardous | 17 05 05* |
| Dredging spoil not containing hazardous substances | Non-hazardous | 17 05 06 |
Gypsum
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Gypsum materials containing hazardous substances | Hazardous | 17 08 01* |
| Gypsum materials not containing hazardous substances | Non-hazardous | 17 08 02 |
Cement
| Waste status | Waste code | |
|---|---|---|
| Unused or unset cement | Hazardous | 17 09 03* |
Paints and varnishes
Paints and varnishes of a type normally used by householders can be classified under the codes indicated in brackets if separated out from other waste.
| Waste status | Household | Industrial or commercial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances | Hazardous | 20 01 27* | 08 01 11* |
| Not containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances | Non-hazardous | 20 01 28 | 08 01 12 |
| Paint or varnish remover | Hazardous | 08 01 21* | 08 01 21* |
Paint cans are hazardous - check the packaging waste and recyclables classification guide.
Adhesives and sealants
Adhesives and sealants of a type normally used by householders can be classified under the codes indicated in brackets if separated out from other waste.
| Waste status | Household | Industrial or commercial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances | Hazardous | 20 01 27* | 08 04 09* |
| Not containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances | Non-hazardous | 20 01 28 | 08 04 10 |
Adhesive or sealant containers are hazardous - check the packaging waste and recyclables classification guide.
How to classify other wastes
Check the guidance on how to classify other common waste types.
Or check the technical guidance on waste, which lists all of the waste codes and how to apply them.
Get advice from a specialist waste contractor if you are not sure what code to use for your waste.
For more information, contact the Environment Agency.
General enquiries
National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY
Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone 03708 506 506
Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.