EWC Code
Biodegradable waste
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
25 million tonnes/year EU composting and MBT output
Valorisation Range
€900M compost and digestate market
Primary Route
Land application (quality compost)
Need verified buyer contacts with location-specific pricing?
Get contacts for EWC 20 02 01EWC 20 02 01 is a specific sub-code under EWC 19 05 — Wastes from aerobic treatment of solid waste. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 19 05 covers wastes from aerobic treatment of solid waste, primarily composting and mechanical biological treatment (MBT). Sub-entries: 19 05 01 (non-composted fraction of municipal and similar waste), 19 05 02 (non-composted fraction of animal and vegetable waste), 19 05 03 (off-specification compost), 19 05 99 (wastes not otherwise specified).
Composting processes produce compost (mature, stabilised organic matter) as the primary output and rejects (non-biodegradable fraction, oversize) as the waste output classified under 19 05. Off-specification compost (19 05 03) arises when the composting process fails to meet quality standards — insufficient temperature for pathogen kill, high heavy metal content from contaminated input, or excessive physical contaminants (plastics, glass).
MBT facilities combine mechanical sorting (separation of recyclable and combustible fractions) with biological treatment (composting or anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction). The residual stabilised biological output (SBO) from MBT has restricted landfill use in some Member States; it does not qualify as compost under national compost quality standards due to contamination and lower maturity.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 20 02 01, ranked by economic value and market depth.
On-specification compost meeting national compost quality standards applied to agricultural land, land reclamation and horticulture. Compost displaces mineral fertiliser and improves soil structure. Meeting end-of-waste criteria under national frameworks removes waste classification.
Non-biodegradable composting rejects and off-specification compost with excessive contaminants disposed at non-hazardous landfill. Organic content of stabilised MBT output may reduce landfill gas generation relative to untreated municipal waste — relevant to Landfill Directive organic diversion targets.
Non-composted organic fractions (19 05 01, 19 05 02) may be retreated in anaerobic digestion to recover energy as biogas before final disposal of digestate. AD prior to landfill reduces biodegradable waste landfill tonnage contributing to Landfill Directive targets.
These are the established routes for EWC 20 02 01. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Agricultural land application of quality compost as soil improver
MBT and composting facility operators managing reject and off-spec fractions
Non-hazardous landfill accepting composting rejects and stabilised MBT output
Anaerobic digestion facilities recovering biogas from composting organic fractions
Common materials that take EWC 20 02 01 depending on where the waste arises.
Leave your work email. Our industrial desk sends verified company contacts with location-specific pricing and contract minimums for biodegradable waste — not generic benchmarks.
Reviewed by our industrial desk within 1 business day.