Classify different types of waste

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Electronic and electrical equipment

These tables list common waste codes for batteries, lightbulbs and electrical devices.

You need to include all relevant classification codes if you place waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) that would be assigned different codes in the same container.

Hazardous substances or persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in waste electricals

WEEE often has components that contain hazardous substances or persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These could include:

  • printed circuit boards
  • plastic casings, cables and other components
  • insulation foam
  • cooling agents
  • flame retardants
  • activated glass and screen phosphors
  • cathode ray tubes
  • capacitors
  • Ni-Cd batteries

If the levels of hazardous substances or POPs are over a certain amount the item will be classified as hazardous or POPs waste.

If your WEEE is POPs waste you cannot reuse or recycle it.

There are special rules about:

If you’ve assessed your waste and are still not sure if an item is hazardous or POPs waste, you should treat it as hazardous and POPs waste as a precaution.

Read technical guidance on how to assess waste and identifying POPs waste.

Televisions, computer monitors and other display devices

Components such as screens, circuit boards, batteries or any plastic parts may contain hazardous chemicals or POPs.

Waste status Household Industrial or commercial
Cathode ray tube (CRT), flatscreen (plasma or LCD) containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* 16-02-13*

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Fridges, freezers, chillers and air-conditioning units

Components such as circuit boards, motors and any plastic parts may contain hazardous chemicals or POPs. Coolants and foam may also be hazardous. Usually there is not enough POPs for the item to be classified as POPs waste.

Waste status Household Industrial or commercial
Containing ozone-depleting substances as foam blowing agents or coolants Hazardous, non-POPs 20-01-23* 16-02-11*
Other Hazardous, non-POPs 20-01-35* 16-02-13*

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Large domestic appliances (LDA): white goods (washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and cookers)

Components such as circuit boards, motors or any plastic parts may contain POPs. Usually there is not enough for the item to be classified as POPs waste.

Heat pump tumble dryers contain coolants which are hazardous. You must classify and manage these differently to vented and condenser tumble dryers.

Waste status Household Industrial or commercial
Large domestic appliances: white goods Non-hazardous, non-POPs 20-01-36 16-02-14
Heat pump tumble dryers Hazardous, non-POPs 20-01-35* 16-02-13*
Vented and condenser tumble dryers Non-hazardous, non-POPs 20-01-36 16-02-14

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Small mixed WEEE

These are small household-type electrical items collected from homes or businesses.

Components such as screens, circuit boards, batteries or any plastic parts may contain hazardous chemicals or POPs.

Waste status Household Industrial or commercial
Small mixed WEEE containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Other household-type electricals from homes or businesses

These are waste electrical items collected from households or businesses that are not already listed and are separated from small mixed WEEE.

Components such as screens, circuit boards, batteries or any plastic parts may contain hazardous chemicals or POPs.

Waste status Household Industrial or commercial
Cat 1: Large household appliances (other than LDA white goods) containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a
Cat 2: Small household appliances containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a
Cat 3: IT and telecommunication equipment containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a
Cat 4: Consumer equipment containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a
Cat 5: Lighting equipment containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a
Cat 6: Electronic and electrical tools containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a
Cat 7: Toys, leisure and sporting equipment containing POPs Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* and 20 01 36 n/a

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Lightbulbs and lamps

Components such as circuit boards, plastic parts or casings may contain POPs and hazardous chemicals, such as flame retardants.

You must check the levels of hazardous substances and POPs in the bulbs before you can classify the waste. To assess WEEE for hazardous substances or POPs, check the guidance on classifying electrical device waste.

Waste status Household Industrial or commercial
Linear fluorescent tubes Hazardous, non-POPs 20-01-21* 16-02-13*
Compact fluorescent lamps and other non-linear gas discharge lamps Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* 16-02-13*
LED containing POPs and hazardous substances Hazardous and POPs 20-01-35* 16-02-13*
LED not containing POPs and all halogen and incandescent lamps not containing hazardous substances Non-hazardous, non-POPs 20-01-36 16-02-14

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Batteries

Waste status Household Industrial or commercial
Lead acid (vehicle) Hazardous 16-06-01* 16-06-01*
Lead acid (other) Hazardous 20-01-33* 16-06-01*
Nickel-Cadmium Hazardous 20-01-33* 16-06-02*
Mercury containing Hazardous 20-01-33* 16-06-03*
Alkaline Non-hazardous 20-01-34 16-06-04
Other - Lithium or Lithium ion Non-hazardous 20-01-34 16-06-05
Mixed household-type batteries - separately collected Hazardous 20-01-33* Not allowed

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous.

Other WEEE, parts and components

If your waste is not listed, check the guidance on classifying electrical device waste. You can find more classes in the section on treating WEEE.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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