Inert Waste

The definition of Inert Waste is found in the Landfill Directive 1993/33/EC which states that: Inert Waste means waste that does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations. Inert Waste will not dissolve, burn or otherwise physically or chemically react, biodegrade or adversely affect other matter with which it comes into contact in a way likely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm human health. The total leachability and pollutant content of the waste and the ecotoxicity of the Leachate must be insignificant and in particular not endanger the quality of surface water and/or groundwater.

There are only 11 EWC codes that may qualify as inert waste they are:

EWC Code	Description	Restrictions
10 11 03	Waste glass-based fibrous material	Only without organic binders
15 01 07	Glass packaging	-
17 01 01	Concrete	Selected C&D Waste only^[1]
17 01 02	Bricks	Selected C&D Waste only^[1]
17 01 03	Tiles and ceramics	Selected C&D Waste only^[1]
17 01 07	Mixtures of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics	Selected C&D Waste only^[1]
17 02 02	Glass	-
17 05 04	Soil and stones	Excluding top soil, peat; excluding soil and stones from contaminated sites.
19 12 05	Glass	-
20 01 02	Glass	Separately collected glass only
20 02 02	Soil and stones	Only from garden and park waste; excluding top soil, peat.

For the purposes of Landfill Tax, Inert Waste is not the same as Inactive Waste, although the two are often confused/interchanged.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3
Selected construction and demolition waste (C&D waste): with low contents of other types of materials (like metals, plastic, soil, organics, wood rubber etc). The origin of the waste must be known. These materials are excluded if:
- C&D Waste from construction(s) is polluted with inorganic or dangerous substances e.g. because of production processes in the construction, soil pollution, storage and usage of pesticides or other dangerous substances etc, unless it is made clear that the demolished construction was not significantly polluted.
- C&D waste from construction(s), is treated, covered or painted with materials containing dangerous substances in significant amounts.

[inert-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Selected construction and demolition waste (C&D waste): with low contents of other types of materials (like metals, plastic, soil, organics, wood rubber etc). The origin of the waste must be known. These materials are excluded if:
C&D Waste from construction(s) is polluted with inorganic or dangerous substances e.g. because of production processes in the construction, soil pollution, storage and usage of pesticides or other dangerous substances etc, unless it is made clear that the demolished construction was not significantly polluted.

C&D waste from construction(s), is treated, covered or painted with materials containing dangerous substances in significant amounts.

[2] C&D Waste from construction(s) is polluted with inorganic or dangerous substances e.g. because of production processes in the construction, soil pollution, storage and usage of pesticides or other dangerous substances etc, unless it is made clear that the demolished construction was not significantly polluted.

[3] C&D waste from construction(s), is treated, covered or painted with materials containing dangerous substances in significant amounts.

[1]