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Introduction to the Waste Thesaurus

The Waste Thesaurus helps to signpost people to the right reference code for their waste, and find the correct codes for hazardous properties and recovery and disposal.

Before you Start

Here are some things to know before you begin this process.

  • The reference codes of waste are called European Waste Catalogue code, or EWC Codes.
  • There are also Recovery and Disposal codes and Hazardous Property codes, both used in hazardous waste consignment notes.
  • You do not need to register for a Your Dsposal account to view the Waste Thesaurus.
  • The Dsposal Waste Thesaurus is provided as general information for your use. You should obtain professional advice before taking any action on the basis of the content provided as stated in our Terms of Use .

What is the Dsposal Waste Thesaurus?

The Dsposal Waste Thesaurus is a reference database that can:

  • list types of wastes grouped together according to a relevant EWC Code
  • list recovery and disposal (RD) codes according to search terms
  • list hazardous property (HP) codes according to search terms

The purpose of the waste thesaurus is for users to find the right codes by which waste may be most fitly and aptly described.

Where is the Dsposal Waste Thesaurus?

The Waste Thesaurus can be found on the Your Dsposal website. If not following the link, start at the Dsposal UK website and click the "Tools" dropdown, then click the "Waste Thesaurus" button. This will bring you to the Waste Thesaurus page.

EWC Code Example

During the metalworking process cutting fluids are used to:

  • keep the cutting tool at a stable temperature
  • maximise the life of the cutting tip
  • prevent rust on machine parts and cutters

However, these fluids degrade over time due to contaminants entering the lubrication system and they require safe transport and disposal.

Browsing through the European Waste Catalogue there is no entry for cutting fluid. Using an online search engine there are different names for cutting fluid. Including:

  • coolant
  • cutting oil
  • cutting compound
  • heat transfer fluid
  • lubricant
  • tramp oil
  • sump oil
  • soluble oil
  • machining lubricant

None of which are an entry in the EWC Code list either.

If you enter "cutting fluid" and click search, this will search our database of the EWC Codes and Waste Thesaurus entries and return the results.

The next step would be to determine the correct chapter. For cutting fluid in the metalworking process the most likely chapter would be chapter 12 - wastes from shaping and physical and mechanical surface treatment of metals and plastics.

Now by looking at the individual entries there seems to be a number of different entries which cover cutting fluids depending on if it is mineral-based, synthetic, neat, biodegradable or halogenated. Determining the correct waste code is based on the waste producer’s processes. If the process diluted the oil and doesn’t contain chlorine/chlorides, then the likely hood is that the waste is 12 01 09*. Clicking on the entry shows a synopsis of that code:

  • The Chapter number with description
  • The Sub-Chapter number with description
  • The EWC Code Individual Entry with description and additional information
  • The different Dsposal Waste Thesaurus keywords that relates to this entry