EWC Code
Filter cake from gas treatment
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
2.5 million cremations/year EU generating ~100 g mercury per cremation
Valorisation Range
€12M mercury abatement and implant recycling market
Primary Route
Implant metal recycling
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Get contacts for EWC 19 01 05EWC 19 01 05 is a specific sub-code under EWC 10 14 — Wastes from crematoria. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
Cremation generates cremated remains (calcined bone ash), flue gas residues and mercury from dental amalgam as primary waste streams. EU cremation volumes are approximately 2.5 million per year and rising, with cremation rates exceeding 70% in Nordic countries. Dental amalgam in crematoria is a significant mercury source; EU Environment Agency estimated 1–3 kg mercury per cremation facility per year from amalgam volatilisation during combustion.
Cremated remains consist of calcined bone fragments (calcium phosphate) ground to uniform particle size of 2–4mm. Cremated remains are not classified as waste where returned to the family for burial or memorialisation. Metallic implants (titanium, cobalt-chrome prosthetics, pacemakers) are recovered post-cremation by magnetic separation and passed to specialist metal recyclers.
Flue gas treatment in modern crematoria includes activated carbon injection for mercury abatement and particulate control by fabric filter. Mercury captured in activated carbon filter cake is classified hazardous (10 14 01*) and managed as hazardous waste. EU Minamata-aligned mercury regulations require crematoria installed from 2013 to install mercury abatement achieving >90% capture efficiency.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 19 01 05, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Metallic implants including titanium hip joints, cobalt-chrome knee implants, stainless steel surgical plates and pacemakers are recovered post-cremation by magnets and manual sorting. Specialist operators collect, decontaminate and recycle to medical alloy producers with audited certification.
Activated carbon filter cake containing captured dental amalgam mercury is removed periodically under hazardous waste consignment and sent to mercury retorting operations for mercury recovery and safe management under EU Mercury Regulation 2017/852. Filter cake is double-packaged in approved UN-certified containers.
Unclaimed cremated remains managed by cemetery operators as non-hazardous waste are typically disposed by deep burial in cemetery grounds with appropriate records. No environmental risk from calcium phosphate cremated remains. Scattering at sea or in nature is permitted in most EU jurisdictions without waste consent.
These are the established routes for EWC 19 01 05. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Manage cremated remains and implant metal recovery operations at crematoria
Recycle recovered titanium and cobalt-chrome implants to medical alloy supply chain
Process mercury-bearing activated carbon filter cake to recover mercury for regulated storage
Collect and transport mercury filter cake under hazardous waste consignment to licensed processor
Sectors that valorise EWC 19 01 05 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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