| EWC European Waste Catalogue | | |
Chapters of the EWC (European Waste Catalogue)| 01 | WASTE FROM EXPLORATION, MINING, OR QUARRYING, AS WELL AS FROM THE PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF MINERALS | | 02 | WASTE FROM AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FORESTRY, HUNTING, AND FISHING, AS WELL AS THE PROCESSING AND PREPARATION OF FOOD | | 03 | WASTE FROM WOOD PROCESSING AND THE PRODUCTION OF PANELS, FURNITURE, PULP, PAPER, AND CARDBOARD | | 04 | Waste from leather and fur processing, as well as from the textile industry | | 05 | WASTE FROM OIL REFINING, NATURAL GAS PURIFICATION, AND PYROLYTIC COAL TREATMENT | | 06 | WASTE FROM INORGANIC CHEMICAL PROCESSES | | 07 | WASTE FROM ORGANIC CHEMICAL PROCESSES | | 08 | WASTE FROM THE PRODUCTION, FORMULATION, SUPPLY, AND USE OF COATINGS (PAINTS, VARNISHES, AND GLASS ENAMELS), ADHESIVES, SEALANTS, AND PRINTING INKS | | 09 | WASTE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY | | 10 | WASTE FROM THERMAL PROCESSES | | 11 | WASTE FROM THE CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT AND COATING OF METALS AND OTHER MATERIALS; NON-FERROUS HYDROMETALLURGY | | 12 | WASTE FROM THE PROCESSING AND PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALS AND PLASTICS | | 13 | USED OILS AND LIQUID FUEL RESIDUES (EXCEPT EDIBLE OILS AND OILS LISTED IN CHAPTERS 05, 12, AND 19) | | 14 | WASTE ORGANIC SOLVENTS, REFRIGERANTS, AND PROPELLANTS (EXCEPT 07 AND 08) | | 15 | PACKAGING WASTE, ABSORBENTS, RAGS, FILTER MATERIALS, AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING (NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED) | | 16 | WASTE NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE LIST | | 17 | WASTE FROM CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING SOIL FROM CONTAMINATED SITES) | | 18 | WASTE GENERATED BY THE HEALTHCARE AND VETERINARY SECTORS OR BY RELATED RESEARCH ACTIVITIES (EXCEPT KITCHEN AND CATERING WASTE NOT DIRECTLY ARISING FROM THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT) | | 19 | WASTE GENERATED BY WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES, OFF-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES, AS WELL AS FROM WATER PURIFICATION AND ITS PREPARATION FOR INDUSTRIAL USE | | 20 | MUNICIPAL WASTE (HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR WASTE GENERATED BY COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS BY INSTITUTIONS), INCLUDING SEPARATELY COLLECTED WASTE |
Characterization
Analysis Chemical characterization analyses of waste as is are used to determine the chemical composition of a waste sample. These analyses are used to identify the presence of any hazardous or toxic substances and to assess contamination levels. Characterization analysis is essential for so-called mirror wastes—that is, when there is both a hazardous and a non-hazardous EER/CER code. | Leaching
Test The analysis of a waste eluate (also known as a leaching test) allows for the assessment of a waste’s stability and hazardousness during management and disposal. This test determines whether a waste stream is safe to handle, whether it can be recycled, or whether it must be disposed of safely. The test involves a solid-liquid extraction process, in which the sample is immersed in a solvent (distilled water) for a typical duration of 24 hours. The subsequent analysis of the chemical compounds released into the resulting eluate aims to quantify the fraction of soluble contaminants present in the solid sample. This test is useful for assessing the environmental risk associated with the waste by identifying chemicals that could contaminate groundwater and soil. The leaching test is required, in particular, to verify the waste’s eligibility for landfill disposal. Obviously, it is not possible to obtain an eluate from liquid waste; therefore, the leaching test applies only to solid waste. | |
Confirmation of the EER/CER
Code Each waste stream must be analyzed to confirm the correct assignment of the EER/CER code assigned to the waste by its producer and, in the case of non-hazardous waste, to rule out the presence of substances that could render it hazardous. Following the analyses, the laboratory will issue a certificate containing an assessment of the waste under investigation, indicating its potential hazardous nature and the confirmed EER/CER code. | |
Assignment of Hazard
Characteristics In the certificate issued by the laboratory for hazardous waste only, based on the analytical results obtained, the hazard characteristics—known as hazard classes—will be indicated, denoted by the codes HP1 through HP15. These are extremely important for the proper management of hazardous waste during transportation and disposal operations. | |
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