EWC Code
Tiles and ceramics
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~400 Mt/year EU (C&D total); 17 01 accounts for ~50%
Valorisation Range
€5–25/tonne processed recycled aggregate
Primary Route
Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA)
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Get contacts for EWC 17 01 03EWC 17 01 03 is a specific sub-code under EWC 17 01 — Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics (construction and demolition waste). The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 17 01 is the largest single sub-category within construction and demolition waste (C&DW), covering concrete rubble (17 01 01), brick and masonry (17 01 02), tiles and ceramics (17 01 03), and mixed non-hazardous fractions (17 01 07). The EU C&DW Directive target under the Waste Framework Directive is 70% material recovery by mass, a target most EU-15 member states now meet or exceed for this chapter.
Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) produced from 17 01 01 is the dominant valorisation pathway. Jaw-crushed and screened concrete produces 0–40mm recycled aggregate certified under EN 13242 for use in road sub-base (Type 3 and Type 4 under Specification for Highway Works) and granular fill. High-specification concrete crushing for structural-grade RCA requires additional processing — washing, attrition scrubbing, and density separation — to remove chlorides, sulphates and attached mortar paste.
Brick rubble (17 01 02) has a distinct market in the reclaimed brick sector (selective demolition yields whole bricks at €0.50–3.00 per unit) and as crushed brick aggregate (CBA) for drainage media, sports pitch drainage layers, and lightweight fill. Ceramic tiles and sanitary ware (17 01 03) are processed by specialist C&DW recyclers into secondary aggregate for road construction.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 17 01 03, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Concrete rubble crushed and screened to 0–40mm RCA for road sub-base and granular fill under EN 13242. Type 3/4 certified RCA avoids primary aggregate extraction. High-grade RCA (washed, density-sorted) achieves structural concrete specifications at 20–30% replacement of primary aggregate in BS 8500-2 mix designs.
Selective demolition recovers whole bricks that are hand-cleaned and graded for reclaimed brick markets (heritage, restoration). Premium stock fetches £1–3 per unit. Sub-grade brick crushed to CBA aggregate (4–20mm) for sports drainage layers — BS EN 13055-2 for lightweight aggregate in fill applications.
Mixed inert C&DW processed to granular fill for bulk earthworks, embankments and capping layers under Specification for Highway Works Clause 803/804. Inertness testing under EA Technical Guidance WM3 required before acceptance at unengineered fill sites.
These are the established routes for EWC 17 01 03. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
RCA as partial primary aggregate replacement in pre-cast blocks, pavers and pipes — up to 30% substitution in BS 8500-2 approved mix designs
RCA as road sub-base (Type 3/4) and capping layer fill under Specification for Highway Works
Licensed C&DW recycling facilities (NPPG / PPS10 compliant) processing mixed loads
Concrete fines (cement paste) as alternative raw material in cement kiln under EA Regulatory Position Statement
Common materials that take EWC 17 01 03 depending on where the waste arises.
Dedicated waste-stream pages covering EWC 17 01 03 — pricing, buyer industries and valorisation routes.
Sectors that valorise EWC 17 01 03 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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