EWC Code
Casting cores and moulds that have not undergone pouring, other than those in 10 10 05
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
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 10 06EWC 10 10 06 is a specific sub-code under EWC 10 10 — Wastes from casting of non-ferrous pieces. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
Non-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 06, ranked by economic value and market depth.
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 06. 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
Sectors that valorise EWC 10 10 06 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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