EWC Code
Fluff-light fraction and dust not containing dangerous substances
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
15 million tonnes/year EU mechanical treatment residues
Valorisation Range
€800M SRF, recyclate and aggregate market
Primary Route
Secondary material markets (sorted fractions)
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Get contacts for EWC 19 10 04EWC 19 10 04 is a specific sub-code under EWC 19 12 — Wastes from the mechanical treatment of waste. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 19 12 covers wastes from mechanical treatment of waste — sorting, shredding, granulation, screening, compaction, pelletising. Sub-entries: 19 12 01 (paper and cardboard), 19 12 02 (ferrous metals), 19 12 03 (non-ferrous metals), 19 12 04 (plastics and rubber), 19 12 05 (glass), 19 12 06* (wood containing dangerous substances), 19 12 07 (non-hazardous wood), 19 12 08 (textiles), 19 12 09 (minerals e.g. sand, stones), 19 12 10 (combustible waste — SRF/RDF), 19 12 11* (other wastes from mechanical treatment containing dangerous substances) and 19 12 12 (other non-hazardous wastes).
Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) processing dry recyclables from separate collection produce 19 12 coded sorted fractions — paper (19 12 01), metals (19 12 02, 03), plastics (19 12 04), glass (19 12 05) — each of which may achieve end-of-waste status upon meeting quality standards for their respective material markets. Reject fractions (19 12 12) from sorting represent non-recoverable contamination.
Solid recovered fuel (SRF) or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) coded as 19 12 10 is produced from the combustible fraction of mixed or residual waste streams after metal and material recovery. SRF specification governed by EN 15359 standard covering calorific value, chlorine content, mercury content and biomass fraction. Higher quality SRF attracts gate fees in cement kiln and biomass plant markets.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 19 10 04, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Sorted fractions (paper, plastic, metal, glass) from MRFs sold to secondary material processors. End-of-waste status achieved upon meeting applicable quality standards (glass cullet EU EoW Regulation 1179/2012; metal scrap EU EoW Regulation 333/2011). Quality determines price and market acceptance.
Combustible waste fraction (19 12 10) co-processed in cement kilns under IED Chapter IV permit. High-temperature conditions (≥1450°C in burning zone) ensure organic destruction. Ash residue incorporated into clinker; no additional ash disposal. Displaces 5–40% of fossil fuel energy input.
Non-recoverable mixed reject fraction (19 12 12) and other non-hazardous residues disposed at non-hazardous landfill. Pre-treatment to reduce organic content required under Landfill Directive in Member States with organic waste landfill restrictions. Compaction reduces volume and extends landfill capacity.
These are the established routes for EWC 19 10 04. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Paper mills accepting sorted paper and cardboard (19 12 01) from MRFs
Cement kilns co-processing SRF/RDF (19 12 10) as alternative fuel
Steel mills accepting ferrous metal scrap (19 12 02) from MRFs
Plastic recyclers accepting sorted plastic (19 12 04) from MRFs
Sectors that valorise EWC 19 10 04 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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