EWC Code
Sludges from on-site effluent treatment
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~3 Mt/year EU bread, pastry and confectionery waste
Valorisation Range
Bread waste to biogas/feed €20–40/t; confectionery sugar recovery €100–250/t
Primary Route
Animal feed (former foodstuffs)
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Get contacts for EWC 02 06 03EWC 02 06 03 is a specific sub-code under EWC 02 06 — Wastes from the baking and confectionery industry. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 02 06 covers manufacturing residues from bakeries, pastry production, biscuit and cracker manufacturing, confectionery (chocolate, sugar confectionery, gum) and associated industrial processes. Primary streams include dough trimming waste, off-specification product, out-of-date bread and pastry, chocolate production residues, fondant and sugar syrup waste, and effluent treatment sludge. These wastes are non-hazardous but of varying moisture content and microbial stability.
Bread waste from industrial bakeries is predominantly generated from returned supermarket surplus and production off-cuts. Its high starch content makes it an excellent biogas feedstock and animal feed ingredient. Confectionery residues include chocolate rework (remelted and reused), sugar syrup tanker cleanings and wafer trim. Where allergen cross-contamination prevents rework, these enter the waste stream. Cleaning materials and out-of-specification packaging may introduce non-food-grade material requiring separate handling.
Animal by-product rules under Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 govern baked goods containing meat or dairy: such products are Category 3 ABP and require registered collection and processing. Pure bakery waste (no meat or dairy contamination) is typically classified as former foodstuffs and can be supplied to biogas plants or composting facilities without ABPR registration, simplifying the supply chain considerably.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 02 06 03, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Non-contaminated bread waste and biscuit off-cuts supplied to pig and poultry farms as feed, often via registered feed distributors. Must comply with Regulation (EC) 183/2005 and be free from catering origin contamination (which would trigger ABPR Category 3 requirements).
Bakery and confectionery waste with high sugar and starch content co-digested for biogas. Specific methane yield typically 400–500 m³/t VS. Digestate applied to land subject to nutrient management plan compliance.
Mixed bakery waste including packaging contamination (bread in bags) processed in industrial in-vessel composting or food waste depackaging + biogas. Residual packaging fraction (film, foil) separated for energy recovery.
These are the established routes for EWC 02 06 03. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Primary generator; internal rework of off-specification product where allergen controls permit
Confectionery and chocolate manufacturers generate sugar and chocolate rework streams
Pig and poultry farms use bakery surplus as high-energy feed ingredient
Food waste biogas operators and depackaging facilities process bakery surplus
Sectors that valorise EWC 02 06 03 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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