EWC Code
Spent waxes and fats
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
800,000 tonnes/year EU-wide tank cleaning wastes
Valorisation Range
€95M treatment and oil recovery market
Primary Route
Oily water separation and oil recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 12 01 12EWC 12 01 12 is a specific sub-code under EWC 16 07 — Wastes from transport tank, storage tank and barrel cleaning. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 16 07 covers wastes from cleaning of transport tanks (road, rail, maritime), storage tanks and barrels. Sub-entries reflect prior cargo: 16 07 08* (wastes containing oil), 16 07 09* (wastes containing other dangerous substances), 16 07 99 (non-dangerous residues). Classification determined by previous cargo type and concentration of retained substance.
Tank heels, wash water sludges, scale deposits and chemical residues from last cargo constitute the primary waste fractions. Multi-cargo tank vehicles require classification based on the most hazardous cargo carried since last cleaning certification. ADR regulations govern transport of tank cleaning residues.
Port reception facilities (PRF) under Directive 2019/883/EU (recast of 2000/59/EC) must accept tank cleaning wastes from ships at EU ports without undue delay or excessive cost. Ship-generated tank cleaning residues (slops) classified under MARPOL Annex I for oily wastes or Annex II for noxious liquid substances.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 12 01 12, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Tank heels and slops with oil content processed through API separators and DAF units. Recovered oil recycled or used as fuel. Separated water treated to discharge consent limits. Typical for petroleum product tank cleaning.
Chemical tank cleaning residues not suitable for oil recovery incinerated at permitted hazardous waste incinerator. Organic chemical residues with high calorific value may qualify as supplementary fuel (SRF) at cement kilns.
Aqueous tank cleaning effluents treated by neutralisation, precipitation and dewatering. Resulting sludges stabilised for hazardous landfill disposal where no recovery route is viable.
These are the established routes for EWC 12 01 12. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Port reception facilities accepting ship tank cleaning wastes under PRF Directive
Licensed treatment facilities for chemical tank cleaning residues
Co-processing of high-calorific tank cleaning residues in energy-from-waste
Road tanker cleaning stations generating wash water and heel residues
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