Checking end of waste status
End of waste status means a material is no longer considered waste. Once it is no longer waste, waste controls do not apply.
This page explains how to check if recycled or recovered waste has achieved end of waste status.
What we mean by recycled or recovered waste
Recycling or other recovery happens when waste is processed so that any waste properties, such as contamination, are removed. This allows the material to be used as a replacement for non-waste material.
Recycling and recovery operations can range from checks or tests to confirm there are no waste properties, to complex treatment processes that remove contaminants or change the material.
End of waste status is usually achieved after waste has been through a recycling or other recovery operation.
3 ways to check end of waste status
You can check if a material has achieved end of waste status by using one of these methods:
- Complying with end of waste regulations
- Following approved guidance
- Carrying out a case-by-case self-assessment
1. End of waste regulations
Specific end of waste regulations apply to:
For these materials to cease to be waste the regulations require that:
- they must meet specified quality criteria, and the producer or importer must be able to issue a statement of conformity on meeting these standards
- the producer must have a certified quality management system which demonstrates compliance with these quality criteria
2. Approved guidance
Quality protocols
Quality protocols are voluntary frameworks that set out when specific waste materials can achieve end of waste status for particular uses.
If you comply with all the requirements in a relevant quality protocol, your material is likely to meet the end of waste test conditions.
If you do not comply with a relevant quality protocol, you will need to provide evidence that your material meets the end of waste test conditions.
Existing quality protocols continue to apply in Wales until we:
- publish our own end of waste guidance
- adopt an Environment Agency resource framework
- withdraw the quality protocol
Resource frameworks
The Environment Agency (EA) is carrying out a review of waste quality protocols used in England. Following this review, each quality protocol will either be revised and republished as a resource framework or withdrawn.
We are working with the EA to understand how these frameworks will apply in Wales.
We will publish any updates on this page.
We have adopted the GOV.UK resource framework for biomethane from waste. This replaces the previous quality protocol for biomethane. The framework covers biomethane produced from organic waste in landfill or anaerobic digestion plants.
Our guidance on end of waste
We have published end of waste guidance for compost and digestate. This guidance is adapted from the EA’s biowaste resource frameworks and sets out the requirements for producing and using these materials in Wales. It replaces the previous quality protocols for compost and digestate.
End of waste: compost produced from source-segregated biodegradable waste
End of waste: anaerobic digestate produced from anaerobic digestion of source-segregated biodegradable waste
3. Case-by-case self-assessment
If you cannot determine waste status using the regulations or approved guidance, you can carry out a self-assessment. When carrying out a self-assessment, you should consider waste legislation, including the revised Waste Framework Directive and relevant case law.
Use the GOV.UK guidance to check if your material is waste. This explains the conditions that recycled or recovered materials must meet to achieve end of waste status under Article 6(1) of the revised Waste Framework Directive.
We may review self-assessments using the GOV.UK guidance.
If we disagree with an end of waste claim we may take action in line with our enforcement and sanctions policy.