EWC code for green and garden waste
Grass, hedge trimmings, leaves and other garden waste are coded 20 02 01. It is non-hazardous, so a waste transfer note is all you need. Here is what counts, and the codes that sit right next to it.
Biodegradable waste (garden and park waste)
What 20 02 01 covers
Code 20 02 01 sits in the part of chapter 20 dealing with waste from parks and gardens. It covers the biodegradable green material a grounds or landscaping job produces: grass cuttings, hedge and tree trimmings, leaves, plants and weeds. It is non-hazardous, so a waste transfer note with a registered carrier is enough.
Most green waste goes for composting or anaerobic digestion rather than landfill, so receiving sites care about keeping it clean. Plastic plant pots, soil and rubble mixed in can downgrade the load or get it rejected.
The codes right next to it
- Soil and stones dug out with the green waste are 20 02 02, not 20 02 01. If the soil could be contaminated, it may instead fall under chapter 17 and needs assessing.
- Food waste from a kitchen or canteen is 20 01 08, a different stream with its own collection.
- Treated or painted wood is not green waste. Clean offcuts are 17 02 01, but treated timber can be hazardous.
Watch out: Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants are controlled waste with strict handling and disposal rules. Do not mix them into a normal 20 02 01 green load.