EWC Code
Waste explosives
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
15,000 tonnes/year EU-wide
Valorisation Range
Specialist disposal market; minimal recovery value
Primary Route
Controlled detonation
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Get contacts for EWC 16 04EWC 16 04 covers waste explosives including waste ammunition, fireworks and pyrotechnics. These materials retain energetic properties and require specialised handling under ADR 2023 Class 1 regulations for transport and disposal. Mirror entry 16 04 01* covers waste ammunition; 16 04 02* fireworks; 16 04 03* other waste explosives.
Classification requires assessment of explosive reactivity, sensitiveness and compatibility. Deteriorated or aged explosives may exhibit unpredictable sensitivity characteristics. Unauthorised storage or transport constitutes a criminal offence in all EU Member States under national explosive regulations implementing Directive 2014/28/EU.
Decommissioned military ordnance, unexploded ordnance (UXO) from construction sites and expired quarry explosives are the main waste streams. Specialist explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) contractors with specific licensing are required for collection, transport and destruction.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 16 04, ranked by economic value and market depth. Controlled detonation is the primary route.
Licensed EOD contractor detonates waste explosives at approved range or quarry face. Only method for deteriorated or unknown explosive materials. Generates inert residues requiring disposal.
Specialist facilities disassemble munitions and chemically neutralise explosive fill. Nitrate salts from certain explosives may be recovered as secondary fertiliser feedstock.
Permitted high-temperature incineration for small quantities of pyrotechnic and firework waste. Requires IED-compliant facility with specific approval for energetic materials.
These are the established routes for EWC 16 04. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Licensed facilities for explosive waste reception, storage and destruction
Quarry blasting sites for controlled detonation disposal of compatible explosives
Military EOD units handling decommissioned ordnance and unexploded ordnance
Demolition contractors with EOD sub-contractors for construction site UXO
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 16 04 classification, transport, and treatment.
Waste explosives transported under ADR Class 1 with division classification based on reactivity. Requires licensed carrier with ADR-approved vehicle, emergency information and compatibility grouping. Mixed loads of incompatible explosive classes prohibited.
EU Directive harmonising rules for placing civil explosives on the market. Waste explosives arising from legitimate use of CE-marked explosives handled under national implementation. Disposal must be by licensed contractor.
Waste explosives classified HP16 (capable of producing fire or explosion by reaction with water, air or another substance). Requires hazardous waste consignment note and registered carrier for all movements.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 16 04 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 16 04 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 16 04 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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