Guidance

D2: depositing waste from train toilets

The D2 exemption allows older rolling stock not fitted with appropriate collection facilities to deposit sanitary waste on to the track.

Applies to England

There’s a charge for most waste exemptions 

This exemption is in band 3. Read waste exemption charges to find out what the charges and charging bands are.

This exemption allows train operators to empty waste from a train toilet or sink on to a railway track.

More than one railway operating company can register a D2 exemption at the same track at the same time.

Type and amount of waste you can deposit

Waste code Type of waste
20 03 99 Waste from railway sanitary conveniences only

You can deposit up to 25 litres of waste per discharge. 

There is no limit on the number of discharges you can make.

Conditions

You must comply with the exemption conditions. The waste you discharge must match the waste code, type of waste, and quantities allowed. 

You cannot: 

  • discharge waste from the toilet or sink of any other type of vehicle, such as a bus 
  • discharge any other types of waste on to a railway track 
  • bring in sanitary waste from trains operating on a different railway line

Registering a D2 waste exemption  

A railway track is a type of linear network. Use the linear network registration form to register a D2 exemption.  

Register in the name of the business, at your registered office or main place of business.  

You’ll need to provide one of the following: 

  • grid references for the start point A and end point B of your area of waste activity
  • a map showing all your areas of activity with descriptions of the locations

Email your form, and map if applicable, to waste-exemptions@environment-agency.gov.uk

Read the updated guidance on linear network registration to find out more.

Charges for registering a D2 exemption  

Read waste exemption charges to find out what the charges and charging bands are.  

D2 exemption has a band 3 compliance charge.  

There’s a registration charge to register one or more exemptions at a time.

Charities register free   

Charities do not have to pay for waste exemptions. If you’re a charity, call the Environment Agency to register free of charge. 

To qualify as a charity, your organisation’s aims and purposes must be exclusively charitable. Your organisation must operate for the public benefit.  

Read the Charity Commission’s list and descriptions of charitable purposes to find out if your organisation falls within one of the 13 types of charitable activity.

Read waste exemptions guidance in full.

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.

Updates to this page

Published 12 September 2019
Last updated 28 October 2025 show all updates
  1. Updated with clearer details about how to register a linear network, and who qualifies as a charity to register free.

  2. Updated with information about charges and charging bands for waste exemptions. Improved overall clarity of the guidance.

  3. Updated with information about registering a railway line as a linear network.

  4. First published.

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