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Chapter 20 — Municipal wastes and similar commercial, industrial and institutional wastes including separately collected fractionsSub-code of EWC 20 03 Non-Hazardous

EWC Code

19 12 10

Combustible waste (SRF/RDF from mechanical treatment)

EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000

Annual Volume (EU)

90 million tonnes/year EU residual municipal waste

Valorisation Range

€12B municipal waste management market

Primary Route

Energy from waste (EfW) incineration

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EWC 19 12 10 is a specific sub-code under EWC 20 03 — Other municipal wastes. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.

EWC 20 03 is the residual municipal waste sub-chapter covering mixed and other municipal waste not separately collected. Sub-entries: 20 03 01 (mixed municipal waste — the primary residual household waste stream), 20 03 02 (waste from markets), 20 03 03 (street-cleaning residues), 20 03 04 (septic tank sludge), 20 03 06 (waste from sewage cleaning), 20 03 07 (bulky waste — furniture, mattresses, white goods) and 20 03 99 (municipal wastes not otherwise specified).

Mixed municipal waste (20 03 01) is the heterogeneous residual fraction after separate collection of recyclables, biowaste and other fractions. Composition varies significantly by national collection system maturity, economic level and seasonal factors. Typical composition: 40–50% food/organic, 20–25% paper/card, 10–15% plastics, 5–10% glass, 3–8% metals, 5–10% other. High organic content creates methane risk at landfill and limits treatment options.

Street-cleaning residues (20 03 03) include gully pot contents, road sweepings, litter bin waste and leaf mould from street cleaning. High mineral content (grit, sand) reduces calorific value for energy recovery. Gully pot sludge may contain PAHs and heavy metals from vehicle emissions requiring testing before disposal pathway determination.

Typical Generators

Households (residual bin)
Local authorities
Commercial premises
Street cleaning services
Markets and fairs

Disposal & Valorisation Routes

Established valorisation pathways for EWC 19 12 10, ranked by economic value and market depth.

Energy from waste (EfW) incineration

Primary

Residual mixed municipal waste incinerated in IED-compliant energy from waste facilities, generating electricity and heat. Bottom ash processed for IBA aggregate and metal recovery. Typical net electricity output: 550–650 kWh/tonne MSW. Energy recovery counts towards WFD 50% recycling+recovery target.

Mechanical biological treatment (MBT)

Secondary

Mixed municipal waste processed through MBT to recover recyclables, produce SRF/RDF from combustible fraction and biologically stabilise residual organic fraction. Reduces landfill volume; organic stabilisation meets Landfill Directive pre-treatment requirement. MBT output SRF co-processed in cement kilns.

Sanitary landfill

Backstop

Pre-treated residual municipal waste landfilled at permitted non-hazardous landfill with liner, leachate collection, landfill gas capture and flare/energy recovery. Landfill gas captured for electricity generation. Landfill remains backstop for Member States with insufficient EfW or MBT capacity.

These are the established routes for EWC 19 12 10. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.

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NACE Receiving Industries

Primary & secondary off-takers

01
Hazardous waste treatment

Energy from waste facilities accepting residual mixed municipal waste

02
Collection of non-hazardous waste

Local authority and private waste collection services for residual bin waste

03
Manufacture of cement

Cement kilns co-processing SRF derived from mixed municipal waste MBT

04
Production of electricity

EfW operators generating electricity from residual municipal waste incineration

Materials Classified Under This Code

Common materials that take EWC 19 12 10 depending on where the waste arises.

Industries That Use This Waste

Sectors that valorise EWC 19 12 10 as an input material or secondary raw material.

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