EWC Code
Wastes from the mechanical treatment of waste
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
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 12EWC 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 12, ranked by economic value and market depth. Secondary material markets (sorted fractions) is the primary route.
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 12. 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
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 19 12 classification, transport, and treatment.
Sorted recyclate fractions cease to be waste upon meeting end-of-waste criteria. EU-level EoW Regulations: metal scrap (EU 333/2011), glass cullet (EU 1179/2012), copper scrap (EU 715/2013). Paper, plastic and textile EoW regulated at national level in most MS. MRF output quality standards increasingly required by recyclate markets (e.g. China National Sword 99.5% purity).
Packaging Waste Directive (as amended by 2019/904) sets material-specific recycling targets for paper (85%), plastic (50%), glass (70%), metals (80%) by 2030. MRF sorting efficiency determines recyclate quality and volume contributing to targets. Separate collection quality requirements set nationally but increasingly stringent.
SRF (19 12 10) co-processing in cement kilns governed by IED Chapter IV co-incineration provisions. EN 15359 SRF quality classes (1–5) based on Cl content and calorific value. Chlorine content critical as high Cl SRF increases HCl emissions. Mercury content monitored continuously at cement kilns accepting SRF.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 19 12 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 19 12 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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