EWC Code
Wastes from casting of non-ferrous pieces
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
3.2 million tonnes/year EU non-ferrous foundry waste
Valorisation Range
€185M non-ferrous foundry sand and dross market
Primary Route
Sand reclamation and reuse
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Get contacts for EWC 10 10Non-ferrous casting generates spent foundry sand contaminated with metal-specific residues, dross, core binders and refractory waste. Aluminium casting dominates the EU non-ferrous foundry sector, with automotive and aerospace applications driving demand. Aluminium casting sand may contain metallic aluminium fines that react with water to generate hydrogen, requiring testing before disposal.
Copper alloy casting generates sand contaminated with copper, lead and zinc at concentrations potentially exceeding inert waste thresholds. Lead-bearing sands from traditional leaded brass casting require testing under EN 12457 before construction reuse; elevated lead leachate (>0.5 mg/L) triggers hazardous waste classification. Investment casting generates ceramic shell mould waste containing zircon and alumina.
Magnesium casting requires sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) or sulphur dioxide cover gas, generating contaminated sand with residual reactive metal fines. SF₆ is a potent greenhouse gas (GWP 23,500); EU F-Gas Regulation 2014/517/EU restricts its use. Magnesium fire risk from contaminated foundry sand requires reactive waste classification if metallic Mg content exceeds threshold.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 10 10, ranked by economic value and market depth. Sand reclamation and reuse is the primary route.
Non-ferrous casting sand is reclaimed by mechanical or thermal regeneration adapted to specific binder systems. Aluminium casting green sand is reclaimed with >90% recovery by attrition mills removing clay coating. Chemically bonded sands undergo thermal treatment at 600–700°C.
Dross from aluminium, copper and zinc casting is returned to primary or secondary metal producers for metal recovery. Aluminium dross is processed in rotary kilns; copper dross returned to brass mills; zinc dross to zinc smelter. Economic value of dross ensures high recovery rates without regulatory pressure.
Spent foundry sand failing leachate tests due to metal contamination or reactive metal content is disposed to appropriate landfill class. Magnesium-contaminated sand may require pre-treatment to passivate reactive fines. Lead-contaminated copper alloy sand disposed as hazardous waste if EN 12457 leachate exceeds 0.5 mg/L Pb.
These are the established routes for EWC 10 10. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Reclaim spent aluminium casting sand in-house via mechanical attrition systems
Reprocess copper alloy and zinc casting sand residues for metal and aggregate recovery
Process mixed non-ferrous foundry residues for metal recovery and sand reclamation
Use quality-verified reclaimed non-ferrous casting sand as concrete aggregate
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 10 10 classification, transport, and treatment.
SF₆ used as cover gas in magnesium casting is regulated under F-Gas Regulation with mandatory leak detection, operator training certification and annual reporting. Recovery systems must capture SF₆ from process exhausts. Alternative cover gases (SO₂, HFC-134a) are being adopted due to phasedown schedule.
Foundry sand containing reactive magnesium or aluminium fines is classified as hazardous (H3-A: highly flammable) if metallic content exceeds thresholds generating >1L hydrogen/kg. Safety Data Sheet and reactive waste consignment procedures apply. Disposal site must accept reactive waste class.
Spent casting sand from leaded brass foundries may contain lead above SVHC concentration thresholds. Testing under EN 12457 required before any construction reuse. If lead leachate exceeds hazardous WAC threshold, sand is managed as hazardous waste with full documentation.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 10 10 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 10 10 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 10 10 and related waste streams flow across European industries and sectors.
Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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