Key Waste Descriptions
The key waste descriptions in WikiWaste reflect those descriptions that exist in the four countries of the UK, with this page highlighting the key differences between the countries.
These differences have emerged over time as the devolved countries have started to define and set targets based on slightly different assumptions. Some materials are, however, consinstently defined and reported for the UK by DEFRA (ie Packaging Waste and Waste from Households).
Overarching Waste Definitions on a Comparative Basis
Notes
- The schematic does not split out hazardous and non-hazardous waste
- The boundary of Waste from Households (WfH) is consistent across countries - see below
- The boundaries of Household Waste (HH) differ slighty between countries - see the table below
- The boundaries of the Local Authority Collected Waste (LACW) differ slighty between countries - see the table below
'Waste from Households'
Waste from Households (WfH) is a harmonised metric for measuring recycling performance across all four countires of the UK.
It includes residual & recycling collected waste – from kerbside, HWRC, bulky, bring banks & other household sources. It also includes the metal recycled from incinerator bottom ash. For more detail read here.
'Household Waste' - Summary of Differences of Reporting by UK Countries[1][2]
Household Waste is 'Waste from Households', plus additional waste collected as summarised in the table below.
Wales differs significantly in including recycled incinerator ash.
Collection Types made by Local Authorities and Specified Materials | Wales | England | Northern Ireland | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Residual & recycling collected waste – from kerbside, HWRC, bulky, bring banks & other household sources | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Parks & grounds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Street Cleaning which may inc gully emptying wastes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Street Bins | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Separately collected healthcare waste | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Asbestos waste | ✓ | X | ✓ | X |
Soil | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
Rubble & plasterboard | X | X | X | ✓ |
Ash recovered after incineration | ✓ | X | X | X |
Metal recovered after incineration | ✓ | X | ✓ | X |
'Local Authority Collected Waste' - Summary of Differences of Reporting by UK Countries[1][2]
Local Authority Collected Waste (LACW) is synonymous with Local Authority Collected Municipal Waste and, in Wales, Local Authority Municipal Waste. It includes 'Household Waste' plus other non-household and commercial waste collected by local authorities.
Scotland does not presently use this defiition in its reporting and so is not in the table below.
Collection Types made by Local Authorities and Specified Materials | Wales | England | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
Residual & recycling collected waste – from kerbside, HWRC, bulky, bring banks & other household sources. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Parks & grounds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Street Cleaning which may inc gully emptying wastes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Street Bins | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Separately collected healthcare waste | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Commercial collections | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Beach cleansing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Clearance of fly-tipped materials | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Other ‘non-household’ waste categories in WasteDataFlow | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Asbestos waste | ✓ | X | ✓ |
Soil | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Rubble & plasterboard | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ash recovered after incineration | ✓ | X | X |
Metal recovered after incineration | ✓ | X | ✓ |
