Waste Management Glossary

Waste Terms in Plain English

You should not need a dictionary to organise a recycling collection. Here are the terms you are likely to see on waste paperwork, contractor websites and official guidance. Definitions are simplified explanations, rather than full legal definitions.

Animal By-Products (ABPs)

Animal-derived materials that are no longer intended for human consumption. Some food waste falls under these rules as well as waste rules; the disposal route depends on its category and use.

Certificate of Data Destruction

A record of the data destruction service. Quality Waste shreds data-bearing media as standard and includes this certificate. It is separate from waste movement paperwork.

Certificate of Destruction

A record that supports a destruction service, such as confidential paper or unwanted stock destruction. Quality Waste includes it with destruction services; it does not replace a transfer or consignment note.

Consignee

The person or business receiving hazardous waste at the destination named on the consignment note.

Consignment Note

The document used for relevant hazardous waste movements. Required details and procedures depend on the UK nation and type of movement.

Controlled Waste

A legal term covering household, commercial and industrial waste, subject to applicable definitions and exceptions.

Dangerous Goods / ADR

Transport rules for materials with particular hazards. Dangerous goods classification and hazardous waste classification are different checks; one does not automatically decide the other.

Duty of Care

Responsibilities to manage waste safely, describe it accurately and pass it only to authorised people. Handing waste to a collector does not end every responsibility.

EWC / List of Waste (LoW)

The six-digit code system used to describe waste. EWC means European Waste Catalogue; List of Waste is another commonly used name. Choose the entry using the source and nature of the waste, not only a search word.

Hazardous Waste

Waste with relevant hazardous properties or a hazardous entry in the List of Waste. It needs the appropriate classification and handling; in Scotland it is called special waste.

Mirror Entry

Related hazardous and non-hazardous waste code entries. Information about composition and hazardous properties is needed to decide which entry applies.

Non-Hazardous Waste

Waste classified as non-hazardous. This does not mean it can go in any bin or be handled without care.

POPs

Persistent organic pollutants: substances that remain in the environment for a long time. Waste containing POPs above applicable limits has specific controls; POPs status and hazardous status are separate questions.

Preparing for Reuse

Checking, cleaning or repairing items that have become waste so they can be used again without further processing.

Recovery

Obtaining a useful purpose from waste in place of other materials. Recycling is a type of recovery, but not all recovery is recycling.

Recycling

Reprocessing waste into products, materials or substances. Burning waste for energy is not recycling.

Reuse

Using a product or component again for its intended purpose while it has not become waste. This differs from preparing waste for reuse.

Season Ticket

A record covering qualifying repeat non-hazardous waste transfers for up to a year, supported by a collection schedule. The required conditions must be met.

SIC Code

Standard Industrial Classification code describing a business activity. It is different from the waste’s EWC code.

Special Waste

The term used in Scotland for hazardous waste, with Scottish consignment procedures.

Waste Broker

A business arranging waste recovery or disposal on behalf of others. Brokering and transporting waste are different activities.

Waste Carrier

A person or business transporting waste. Relevant registration may be needed; registration is not permission to operate a waste treatment site.

Waste Hierarchy

The priority order: prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling, other recovery, then disposal. Apply it with the relevant guidance for your waste.

Waste Transfer Note (WTN)

A record for transferring non-hazardous waste, or an equivalent document with the required information. It must accurately describe the transfer and be completed by the relevant parties.

WEEE

Waste electrical and electronic equipment: electrical items that have become waste. Business computers, appliances, cables and other equipment can need a separate WEEE recycling route.

WM3

The UK technical guidance for waste classification. It explains the process for choosing waste codes and assessing hazardous properties; it needs competent use.

For a classification decision, use the official WM3 technical guidance and a competent specialist where needed.