Glossary & Acronyms

The glossary and acronyms used across the UK waste management sector are listed here for reference.

Entries are grouped alphabetically. Each entry opens the full wording of the acronym and provides a link to a more detailed page on the subject, whether that relates to a waste type, facility type, or organisation.

Definitions are reviewed and expanded as datasets and guidance are updated. For formal interpretation, users should always refer to official regulatory documents or statutory guidance.

WikiWaste Acronyms

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2-Dimensional (2D) Waste View

Flat or compressible waste materials, such as paper, card, textiles, or films, that can be easily compacted in two dimensions.

3-Dimensional (3D) Waste View

Rigid or bulky three-dimensional items, such as containers, furniture, or plastic bottles, that retain their shape and are harder to compact.

A

ABP View

Animal By-product

ABPO View
Animal By-product Order
ABPR View
Animal By-product Regulations
ABS (Plastic) View
ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (included in Other Plastics (7) a type of plastic often used in children's toys and car bumpers)
AD View
Anaerobic Digestion
ADEPT View
Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport
Advanced Fuel View
Processed waste-derived fuel with enhanced quality and consistency for use in energy recovery or industrial processes (e.g., in cement kilns).
Aerobic Composting View
The biological decomposition of organic waste in the presence of oxygen, producing compost and carbon dioxide.
Aerosols View

Separately collected and reported by local authorities under WasteDataFlow and captured here

Agricultural Waste View
Waste arising from farming activities, including crop residues, animal manure, and slurry.
AHVLA View
Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency - now part of the APHA
ALEO View
Arms Length External Organisation. Independent entities set up by local authorities (e.g., for waste services).
Aluminium Cans View

Separately collected and reported by local authorities under WasteDataFlow and captured here

Aluminium Foil View

Separately collected and reported by local authorities under WasteDataFlow and captured here

Anaerobic Or Aerobic Digestion Segregated View
Treatment of source-separated organic waste using anaerobic digestion (producing biogas) or aerobic processes (producing compost), kept separate from other waste streams.
Annual Sustainability Report View
Report detailing sustainability performance, often required for biomass or biofuel operations.
APC View
Air Pollution Control
APCR View
Fine particulate material captured from flue gases during incineration or other combustion processes to reduce emissions; often hazardous. The by-products of the flue gas cleaning process in EfW and Combustion processes and can often be combined into one waste stream.
APHA View
Animal and Plant Health Agency
ASR View
Automotive Shredder Residue aka 'Frag'. Lightweight residual material (plastics, foam, textiles) left after shredding end-of-life vehicles; also known as car fluff.
ATF View
Authorised Treatment Facility. A type of treatment facility associated with the processing of WEEE.
Automotive batteries View
Vehicle batteries; hazardous and subject to producer responsibility.

B

Backfilling View
The use of inert or suitable waste materials to fill voids or excavations, often in construction or landfill restoration.
BAT View
Best Available Technique - the BAT reference document is known as the BREF
BEIS View
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy existed until 2023 when it was split to form the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Responsibility for national security and investment policy has gone to the Cabinet Office.
Bicycles View
End-of-life bicycles suitable for reuse or recycling as metals and other materials.
Bio-waste View
Municipal waste that can break down biologically, such as food, garden waste, and paper.
Biofuel View
Methane-rich gas produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter; used for energy generation.
Biogas View
Organic material from plants or animals used as a fuel or energy source.
Biomass View
Biodegradable waste from biological origin, such as food and garden waste.
Biomass Plant View
Facility that generates energy (heat or electricity) by combusting or processing biomass
Biomass Sustainability View
Practices ensuring biomass feedstock is sourced responsibly without negative environmental or social impacts.
BIS View
The Government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) now part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
BMT View
Biological-Mechanical Treatment (BMT) is a generic name for a range of processes
BMW View
Biodegradable Municipal Waste. Liquid or gaseous fuel produced from biomass, used as a renewable energy source (e.g., biodiesel or bioethanol).
Books View
Printed materials suitable for reuse or recycling as paper.
BPEO View
Best Practicable Environmental Option
BREF View
BREF is the BAT reference document
Bric-a-brac View
Miscellaneous small household items (often second-hand), suitable for reuse or charity shops.
Bulky Waste View
Large household items that do not fit in standard bins, such as furniture, appliances, or mattresses.
Business Waste View
Waste produced by commercial, industrial, or trade activities (distinct from household waste).

C

C&D Waste View
Construction & Demolition Waste. Waste from building, renovation, and demolition activities (often abbreviated C&D).
C&I Waste View
Commercial & Industrial Waste. Waste from businesses, shops, factories, and offices (often abbreviated C&I)
CA Site View
Civic Amenity Site aka HWRC. Facility where householders can deposit waste and recyclables (also known as Household Recycling Centre or the tip).
Car Fluff View
Lightweight residual material (plastics, foam, textiles) left after shredding end-of-life vehicles; also known as automotive shredder residue.
Car Frag Waste View
Fragmented metal and other residues from vehicle shredding processes.
Car tyres View
End-of-life car tyres; subject to specific recovery routes.
Carpets View
Textile floor coverings; often bulky waste requiring specialist recycling.
Category 1 ABP View
Highest risk Animal By-Product category under regulations; requires strict disposal (e.g., TSE suspects).
Category 2 ABP View
Medium risk Animal By-Product category; subject to treatment controls.
Category 3 ABP View
Lowest risk Animal By-Product category (e.g., catering waste); can be used in biogas or compost under controls.
CCS View
Carbon Capture Storage
CCUS View
Carbon Capture Usage and Storage
CD&E Waste View
Construction, Demolition and Excavation waste see also C&D Waste
CDW View
Construction Demolition Waste. see also C&D Waste.
CE View
Circular Economy
CEM View
Continuos Emissions Monitor
Cemfuel View
Waste-derived fuel specifically prepared for use as a substitute fuel in cement kilns.
CEP View
Circular Economy Package
CFD View
Contract for Difference
Chipboard and mdf View
Composite wood materials (often from recycled wood) used in furniture; recyclable or suitable for energy recovery.
CHP View
Combined Heat and Power. System that generates electricity and captures usable heat from the same energy source (common in energy-from-waste plants).
CHPQM View
Combined Heat and Power Qualifying Multiplier
CIWM View
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
Climafuel View
A branded or specific type of refuse-derived fuel designed for use in energy-intensive industries, especially cement kilns
CLO View
Compost Like Output. Material from mechanical-biological treatment that resembles compost but may not meet full quality standards (e.g., PAS 100).
Closed Loop Recycling View
Recycling process where waste material is turned back into the same or similar product (e.g., bottle-to-bottle).
Co-mingled materials View
Recyclables collected mixed together (e.g., paper, plastics, cans) for later sorting.
Collection View
The process of gathering waste or recyclables from households, businesses, or sites.
Comingled Collection View
Collection of recyclables mixed together rather than source-separated.
Comingled Material View
Mixed recyclable materials collected together.
Comingled Recyclate View
Recyclable materials that have been collected mixed.
Commercial Waste View
Waste arising from commercial premises.
Community Recycling Site View
A facility (also known as Community Recycling Centre, Household Waste Recycling Centre, or Civic Amenity Site) provided by the Waste Disposal Authority where residents can deposit household waste items not collected kerbside, such as bulky waste and garden waste (commonly known as 'the local tip').
Composite food and beverage cartons View
Multi-layer packaging (paper, plastic, aluminium) for liquids; recyclable via specialist processes.
Composite wood materials View
Engineered wood products like chipboard, MDF, or plywood.
Compost View
Stabilised organic material produced by composting; used as a soil improver.
Consignment Note View
A Consignment Note is the required paperwork that must accompany all movements of hazardous waste. It provides a written description of the waste and must be prepared before the waste is moved. It is the hazardous waste equivalent of a Waste Transfer Note.
Controlled Waste View
Waste subject to UK waste management controls (excludes certain types like explosives or radioactive waste).
CRC Site View
Community Recycling Centre Site. aka HWRC. A facility (also known as Household Waste Recycling Centre, Household Recycling Centre, or Civic Amenity Site) where householders can deposit household waste and recyclables.
Cullet View
Crushed or broken glass suitable for recycling into new glass products.
CV View
Calorific Value. The amount of heat released when a material is combusted; measured as gross or net.

D

DAERA View
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs 
DBFO View
Design Build Finance Operate. Contract model for infrastructure projects where a private consortium designs, builds, finances, and operates the facility.
DCLG View
Department for Communities and Local Government - now Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
DCO View
Development Consent Order 
DECC View
Department of Energy &
DEFRA View
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DESNEZ View
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Digestate View
Nutrient-rich material remaining after anaerobic digestion; used as fertiliser or soil conditioner.
Disposal View
Any waste operation that is not recovery (e.g., landfill without energy recovery).
DMO View
Deposit Management Organisation. Organisation managing deposit return schemes (e.g., for bottles and cans).
DMR View
Dry Mixed Recyclables. Dry recyclables collected in a mixed format.
DoC View
Duty of Care
DRS View
Deposit Return Scheme
Dry Recyclable Comingled View
Dry recyclables (paper, plastics, metals, glass) collected mixed together.
Dry Recyclable Fortnightly View
Dry recyclables collected every two weeks.
Dry Recyclable Fortnightly Monthly View
Dry recyclables collected on a fortnightly to monthly schedule.
Dry Recyclable Fortnightly Weekly View
Dry recyclables collected on a fortnightly to weekly schedule.
Dry Recyclable Four Weekly View
Dry recyclables collected every four weeks.
Dry Recyclable Less than Monthly View
Dry recyclables collected less frequently than monthly.
Dry Recyclable Mixed View
Dry recyclables collected in a mixed format.
Dry Recyclable Monthly View
Dry recyclables collected every month.
Dry Recyclable More than Weekly View
Dry recyclables collected more frequently than weekly.
Dry Recyclable Other View
Other frequencies or types of dry recyclable collections.
Dry Recyclable Separate View
Dry recyclables collected with materials kept separate.
Dry Recyclable Three Weekly View
Dry recyclables collected every three weeks.
Dry Recyclable Weekly View
Dry recyclables collected every week.

E

EA View
Environment Agency
EA Waste Interrogater View
Environment Agency tool/database for interrogating waste data returns in England.
EfW View
Energy from Waste
EIA View
Environmental Impact Assessment
EIP View
Environmental Improvement Plans
ELT View
End of Life Tyres
ELV View
End of Life Vehicles. Scrapped cars, vans, and other vehicles; subject to specific treatment and recycling targets.
EMS View
Environmental Management System
Environment View
In waste context, often refers to regulatory considerations or bodies (e.g., Environmental Protection).
EoW View
End of Waste
EPC View
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract. Contract for delivering construction projects including design and build elements.
EPR View
Extended Producer Responsibility
EPR (Permitting) View
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales)
EQS View
Environmental Quality System
ERF View
Energy Recovery Facility
ERIC View
Estates Returns Information Collection - NHS data source
ESA View
Environmental Services Association
EWC View
European Waste Catalogue
Excluded Waste View
Waste not subject to standard waste controls or specific regulations.
Exporter - Recycling View
Company or operator that exports waste materials for recycling abroad.
Exporter - Reuse View
Company or operator that exports items for direct reuse abroad.

F

FEED View
Front-End Engineering Design. Early-stage engineering design work for waste infrastructure projects.
Feedstock View
Raw material input for a waste treatment or energy process (e.g., biomass or RDF).
FEL View
Front End Loader- type of collection vehicle/system
Fire extinguishers View
Pressurised containers classified as hazardous/special waste; require specialist recovery.
FIT View
Feed in Tariff
Flue Gas View
Exhaust gases produced during combustion or incineration; treated to remove pollutants.
Fluff View
Lightweight residual material from shredding end-of-life vehicles, also known as Car Fluff or Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR), consisting mainly of foam, fabrics, plastics, rubber, and fibres.
Fly Ash View
Fine ash particles carried in flue gases from incineration or combustion; often requires treatment.
Food Comingled View
Food waste collected mixed with other materials.
Food Fortnightly View
Food waste collected every two weeks.
Food None View
No separate food waste collection service.
Food Separate View
Food waste collected separately from other streams.
Food Weekly View
Food waste collected every week.
Footwear only View
Collection of footwear only (part of textiles recycling).
FPPs View
Fire Prevention Plans
Frag Waste View
Residual fragmented material (plastics, foam, fabrics, rubber, glass and dirt) left after shredding end-of-life vehicles and removing the metals; also known as Car Frag Waste or part of Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR).
FSA (Body) View
Food Standards Agency
FSA (contract) View
Fuel Supply Agreement
Furniture View
Household items like sofas, tables, and chairs; often bulky waste or suitable for reuse.

G

Garden Waste View
Plant-based waste from gardens (grass, leaves, branches); often composted.
Gas bottles View
Pressurised cylinders (LPG, etc.); hazardous and require specialist handling.
GCV View
Gross Calorific Value. Total heat released from combustion, including latent heat of water vapour.
GHNF View
Green Heat Network Fund
Green Charged View
Garden/green waste collection that incurs a fee.
Green Comingled View
Garden waste collected mixed with other materials.
Green Fortnightly View
Garden waste collected every two weeks.
Green Fortnightly Weekly View
Garden waste collected on a fortnightly to weekly schedule.
Green Four Weekly View
Garden waste collected every four weeks.
Green garden waste only View
Collection limited to garden waste only.
Green Less than Monthly View
Garden waste collected less frequently than monthly.
Green Monthly View
Garden waste collected every month.
Green More than Weekly View
Garden waste collected more frequently than weekly.
Green None View
No garden waste collection service.
Green Not Charged View
Garden waste collection provided free of charge.
Green Other View
Other garden waste collection frequencies or types.
Green Separate View
Garden waste collected separately.
Green Three Weekly View
Garden waste collected every three weeks.
Green Weekly View
Garden waste collected every week.

H

Hazardous Waste View

Waste with one or more hazardous properties (e.g., toxic, flammable, corrosive); requires special controls. Read more

HDPE (Plastic) View

HDPE (2) - High Density Polyethylene. Read more

Healthcare Waste View
Waste from healthcare or veterinary activities, including clinical and offensive waste.
Heterogeneous Waste View
Waste with varied or mixed composition.
HMIP View
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Pollution - now part of Environment Agency. Former UK pollution regulatory body (absorbed hisotrically into the Environment Agency).
HMRC View
HM Revenue and Customs
Homogeneous Waste View
Waste with uniform composition.
Household Recycling Centre View
Facility (also known as HWRC, Civic Amenity Site, or 'the tip') provided by the Waste Disposal Authority where residents can deposit household waste items not collected at the kerbside, such as bulky waste (e.g. beds, cookers) and garden waste.
Household Waste View
Waste from domestic properties, including household collections and civic amenity sites.
Household Waste Recycling Centres View
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) are also known as a Civic Amenity Sites (CA Sites), Household Recycling Centres (HRC), Community Recycling Centres (CRC Sites), and commonly as ‘the local tip’. These are facilities provided by the Waste Disposal Authority at which local residents may deposit items of Household Waste that are not normally collected by the Waste Collection Authority e.g. Bulky Waste items such as beds, cookers and Garden Waste. In some occasional and rare instances HWRCs are managed by the Waste Collection Authority.
HRC View
Household Waste Recycling Centre - aka HWRC. A Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) is also known as a Civic Amenity Site (CA Site), Household Recycling Centre (HRC), Community Recycling Centre (CRC Site), and commonly as ‘the local tip’. These are facilities provided by the Waste Disposal Authority at which local residents may deposit items of Household Waste that are not normally collected by the Waste Collection Authority e.g. Bulky Waste items such as beds, cookers and Garden Waste. In some occasional and rare instances HWRCs are managed by the Waste Collection Authority.
HSE View
Health and Safety Executive
HTI View
High Temperature Incineration
HWI View
Hazardous Waste Incincerator
HWRC View
Household Waste Recycling Centre. A Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) is also known as a Civic Amenity Site (CA Site), Household Recycling Centre (HRC), Community Recycling Centre (CRC Site), and commonly as ‘the local tip’. These are facilities provided by the Waste Disposal Authority at which local residents may deposit items of Household Waste that are not normally collected by the Waste Collection Authority e.g. Bulky Waste items such as beds, cookers and Garden Waste. In some occasional and rare instances HWRCs are managed by the Waste Collection Authority.

I

IBA View
Incinerator Bottom Ash. Non-combustible residue left at the bottom of an incinerator; often processed into aggregate.
IBAA View
Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate. Processed incinerator bottom ash used as a construction material (e.g., in roads).
IED View
Industrial Emissions Directive
Incineration With Energy Recovery View
Combustion of waste to reduce volume while generating usable energy (electricity and/or heat) and meeting R1 criteria.
Incineration Without Energy Recovery View
Combustion of waste primarily for volume reduction and disposal (no energy capture).
Industrial Waste View
Waste from industrial processes and manufacturing.
Inert Waste View
Waste that does not undergo significant physical, chemical, or biological change (e.g., concrete, bricks); suitable for inert landfill.
InHouse View
Waste management services delivered directly by a local authority.
Ink & toner cartridges View
Printer consumables; often recycled or classified as WEEE-related.
IPPC View
Integrated Pollution Prevention Control repleced by IED
ISO View
International Organization for Standardisation
ISO 14001 View
International standard for environmental management systems.
ISO 18001 View
Former international standard for occupational health and safety management systems (replaced by ISO 45001).
ISO 45001 View
International standard for occupational health and safety management systems.
ISO 9001 View
International standard for quality management systems.
IVC View
In-vessel Composting

K

Kerbside Collection View

Kerbside Collection is generically the collection approach that applies to the collection of dry recyclables and the sorting of that material into different compartments of a specialist collection vehicle at the kerbside/householder's premises

 

 

KLS View
Kraft Lined Strawboard generally refers to cardboard boxes and is captured in Paper &

L

LACMW View
Local Authority Collected Municipal Waste. Waste collected by local authorities from households and similar sources.
LACW View
Local Authority Collected Waste. Waste collected by the Waste Collection Authority.
Landfill Gas View
Methane-rich gas generated by the decomposition of organic waste in landfills; can be captured for energy.
Landfill Mining View
Excavation and processing of old landfill sites to recover materials or land.
LARAC View
Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee
Large vehicle tyres View
End-of-life tyres from large vehicles; subject to specific recovery routes.
LAS View
Landfill Allowance Scheme - now obsolete. Former UK system allowing local authorities to trade landfill allowances.
LATCOs View
Local Authority Trading Company aka Teckal Companies and ALEOs. Company set up by a local authority to deliver services (including waste) on a commercial basis.
LATS View
Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme - now obsolete. The Landfill Allowance Scheme (LAS) was introduced following the closure of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) in March 2013.
LAWDC View
Local Authority Waste Disposal Company. Arm's-length company handling waste disposal for a local authority.
LCA View
Life Cycle Assessment
LDPE (Plastic) View

LDPE (4) - Low Density Polyethylene. Read more

Leachate View
Liquid that has percolated through waste and extracted dissolved or suspended materials; requires treatment.
LfD View
Landfill Directive
LFT View
Landfill Tax
LGA View
Local Government Association
Local Tip View
Facilities provided by the Waste Disposal Authority where residents can deposit household waste items not collected at the kerbside, such as bulky waste (e.g. beds, cookers) and garden waste.
LOI View
Loss of Ignition
Loss of Ignition View
Test measuring the combustible (organic) content of a material by heating it and measuring mass loss.
LoW View
List of Waste (England) Regulations 2005

M

Material From WDA View
Waste materials transferred from a Waste Disposal Authority.
Mattresses View
Bulky upholstered items; often require specialist recycling due to fire retardants.
MBM View
Meat and Bone Meal. Processed animal by-product; used as fuel or in other applications (subject to strict controls).
MBT View
Mechanical Biological Treatment
Metals from Incinerator Bottom Ash View
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals recovered from IBA processing.
MF View
Material Facility - a MRF 'captured' by the MRF Regulations.
MHCLG View
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
MHT View
Mechanical Heat Treatment
Mineral Oil View
Oil-based waste; often hazardous.
Mining Waste View
Waste from mineral extraction and quarrying; regulated under the Mining Waste Directive.
Mining Waste Facility View
Licensed facility for managing mining waste.
Mixed cans View
Mixed steel and aluminium cans collected for recycling.
Mixed garden and food waste View
Garden and food waste collected together.
Mixed glass View
Mixed coloured and clear glass collected for recycling.
Mixed Green and Food Waste View
Garden (green) waste mixed with food waste, collected together in a single comingled organic waste stream. Typically treated via in-vessel composting or anaerobic/aerobic digestion. Also referred to as Mixed Green and Food Waste.
Mixed Paper & Card View
Mixed paper and cardboard collected for recycling.
Mixed Plastic Bottles View
Mixed plastic bottles collected for recycling.
Mixed Plastics View
Mixed types of plastic packaging collected for recycling.
Mixed tyres View
Mixed end-of-life tyres from various vehicles.
Moisture Content View
Percentage of water in a waste material; affects processing and calorific value.
MRF View
Material Recovery Facility
MSA View
Management Services Agreement. Contract for providing management support to a waste operation.
MSW View
Municipal Solid Waste. Waste from households and similar sources (includes household and some commercial waste).
MWI View
Municipal Waste Incinerator

N

NAWDO View
National Association of Waste Disposal Officers
NCV View
Net Calorific Value. Calorific value excluding the latent heat of water vapour.
NEWS and PAMS View
Newspapers, Periodicals and Magazines - a grade of paper
NFFO View
Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation
NHM View
Non-Household Municipal Waste broadly synonymous with Commercial Waste and Business Waste. Municipal waste from non-household sources (e.g., schools, offices).
NIEA View
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
No Waste Stream Type View
Default or unspecified category in waste data reporting.
Non-Ferrous Metal View
Metals other than iron/steel (e.g., aluminium, copper); highly recyclable.
Non-Hazardous Waste View
Waste without hazardous properties.
NRA View
National Rivers Authority - now part of the Environment Agency. Former UK body responsible for water quality and pollution control (merged into Environment Agency).
NRW View
Natural Resources Wales
NSIPs View
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects

O

O&M View
Operation and Maintenance Contract
O&M Contract View
Operations and Maintenance contract for running a waste facility.
OAW View
Open Air Windrow Composting
OCC View
Old Corrugated Containers. This consist of used cardboard boxes and packaging with a ruffled or corrugated inner liner. They are captured in Paper &
OEP View
Office for Environmental Protection
Offensive Waste View
Non-infectious healthcare or similar waste that may cause offence (e.g., nappies, sanitary items).
OHSAS 18001 View
Former British standard for occupational health and safety management systems (replaced by ISO 45001).
OHSMS View
Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Systems (e.g., ISO 45001) for managing workplace health and safety.
Open Loop Recycling View
Recycling where material is used for a different purpose than the original (downcycling).
Other compostable waste View
Organic waste suitable for composting but not classified as food or garden waste.
Other materials View
Catch-all for miscellaneous waste streams.
OutSourced View
Waste management services contracted to a private company.
OWC View
Open Windrow Composting - aka OAW

P

Packaging Waste View
Waste from product packaging; subject to producer responsibility obligations.
Paint View
Liquid waste often classified as hazardous; requires specialist treatment.
PAS100 View
Publicly Available Specification for compost quality.
PAS110 View
Publicly Available Specification for digestate quality from anaerobic digestion.
PEF (Bio-based Plastic) View

PEF (Polyethylene Furanoate) is a bio-based plastic alternative to PET plastic, with research focused on using it more extensively in drinks bottles.

pEPR View
Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility
PERF View
Plastics Recovery Facility aka PRF
PERN View
Packaging Waste Export Recovery Note
PET (Plastic) View

PET (1) - Polyethylene Terephthalate. Read more

Pet Crematoriums View
Facilities for cremating animal remains.
PFAS View

Ployflouroalkylated substances - often termed 'forever chemicals' and historically used extensively in fire suppression foam.

PFI View
Private Finance Initiative
Planning Permission View
Legal approval required for developing waste facilities.
POPS View
Persistent Organic Pollutants - links to Bulky Waste and WUDS
Post consumer, non automotive batteries View
Used household or commercial batteries (not from vehicles).
PP (Plastic) View

PP (5) - Polypropylene. Read more

PPA View
Power Purchase Agreement
PPP View
Public Private Partnership
PRF View
Plastics Recovery Facility aka PERF
Principal Aquifer View
Major underground water-bearing rock formation protected from pollution.
PRN View
Packaging Waste Recovery Note - the export version is the PERN
PRO View
Producer Responsibility Organisation
PS (Plastic) View

PS (6) - Polystyrene. Read more

PTT (Plastic) View
Pots Tubs and Trays. Plastic food packaging items; often collected as mixed plastics.
Putrescible Waste View
Waste that decomposes quickly and may produce odours or gases (e.g., food waste).
PVC (Plastic) View

PVC (3) - Polyvinyl Chloride. Read more

R

R1 View
Recovery code classification captured in the WFD - used for classifying incineration as 'energy recovery' rather than 'disposal'
RAM View
Recyclability Assessment Methodology
RCV View
Refuse Collection Vehicle
RDF View
Refuse Derived Fuel
RDF, Autoclave, MHT or Similar View
Refuse-Derived Fuel or mechanically/thermally treated waste for energy recovery.
Recovery View
Any operation that diverts waste from disposal and provides a useful purpose (e.g., recycling, energy recovery).
Recyclables View
Materials collected or processed for recycling.
Recyclate View
Processed recyclable materials.
Recycled Aggregate View
Processed construction waste (e.g., from C&D or IBA) used in new construction.
Recycling View
Processing of waste into new materials or products.
Recycling Targets View
Statutory or voluntary targets for recycling rates set by government or local authorities.
REL View
Rear End Loader - type of collection vehicle/system
Reprocessor View
Facility or company that processes recyclate into new raw materials.
Reprocessor - Recycling View
Facility or company that processes sorted recyclables into secondary raw materials for new product manufacturing.
Residual Fortnightly View
Collection of non-recyclable (residual) waste every two weeks.
Residual Four Weekly View
Collection of residual waste every four weeks.
Residual Less than Monthly View
Collection of residual waste less frequently than monthly.
Residual More than Weekly View
Collection of residual waste more frequently than weekly.
Residual Three Weekly View
Collection of residual waste every three weeks.
Residual Weekly View
Collection of residual waste every week.
Reuse View
Using a product or material again for its original or similar purpose without significant processing.
Reverse Vending Machine View
Automated machine that accepts empty drink containers and issues rewards (part of deposit return schemes).
RGN View
Regulatory Guidance Note
RHI View
Renewable Heat Incentive
RLF View
Recycled Liquid Fuel aka main brand name of Cemfuel. Liquid fuel produced from waste oils or other processed waste.
RO View
Renewables Obligation
ROC View
Renewables Obligation Certificate
RoRo View
Roll on Roll off - type of collection vehicle/system
RQM View
Renewable Qualifying Multiplier
RTFO View
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation
RWS View
Resources and Waste Strategy

S

SAF View
Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Low-carbon fuel for aircraft, potentially produced from waste (e.g., via waste-to-fuel processes).
Sanitary Landfill View
Engineered landfill designed to contain and manage waste and leachate safely.
SD View
Sustainable Development
SDGs View
Sustainable Development Goals
SEG View
Smart Export Guarantee
SEPA View
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Sewage Sludge View
Residual semi-solid material from wastewater treatment; can be treated for land application or energy recovery.
SNRHW View
Stabilised Non-Reactive Hazardous Waste. Treated hazardous waste that is stable and suitable for specific landfill cells.
SOC View
Substance Orientated Classification - waste code classification which consolidates EWC codes
Source Segregated Recyclate View
Recyclables kept separate by householders or businesses at source.
Source-Separated Collections View
Collections where materials are segregated at source by the producer.
Special Waste View
Older UK term for hazardous waste.
SRF View
Solid Recovered Fuel
Stack View
Chimney or exhaust structure for releasing treated flue gases from incineration or combustion.
Subcoal View
Coal substitute fuel derived from processed waste.
SubCoal View

SubCoal

Subsidy View
Financial support for waste infrastructure or recycling activities.
Syngas View
Synthetic gas produced from gasification of waste or biomass; used for energy or chemicals.

T

TAD View
Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion. High-temperature aerobic biological treatment of organic waste.
Tallow View
Rendered animal fat; can be used as fuel or in other processes.
Technically, Environmentally and Economically Practicable View
Test applied to assess whether separate collection of recyclables is feasible (often abbreviated TEEP).
TECKAL View
Exemption allowing local authorities to award contracts to their own companies without full tendering (under certain conditions).
Textiles & footwear View
Clothing, fabrics, and shoes; suitable for reuse or recycling.
Textiles only View
Collection of textiles only (excluding footwear).
TFS View
Transfrontier Shipment Regulations
Tins View
Metal food/drink cans (often steel); recyclable.
Transfer loading station View
Facility where waste is bulked up and transferred for further treatment or disposal.
Transfer Station View
A waste management facility to which waste is delivered mainly for bulking up before being removed for further treatment, recovery or disposal. Also known as Waste Transfer Station.
Treatment View
Any physical, chemical, or biological process that changes the characteristics of waste to reduce hazards or prepare for recovery/disposal.
Twin Stream Collection View
Collection system where two separate streams of recyclables are collected (e.g., one for fibres, one for containers).

U

UBC View
Used Beverage Cans. Aluminium or steel drink cans collected for recycling.
UK ETS View
UK Emissions Trading Scheme
Used Beverage Cans View
Aluminium or steel drink cans collected for recycling.

V

Van tyres View
End-of-life van tyres; subject to specific recovery routes.
Vegetable Oil View

Separately collected and reported by local authorities under WasteDataFlow and captured here

Video tapes, DVDs and CDs View
Obsolete media items; often recycled as plastics/metals or WEEE-related.

W

WAC View
Waste Acceptance Criteria. Standards that waste must meet before acceptance at a landfill or treatment facility.
WAG View
Welsh Assembly Government
WAMITAB View
Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board - now part of CIWM
Waste View
Any substance or object that the holder discards, intends to discard, or is required to discard.
Waste Acceptance Criteria View
Standards that waste must meet before acceptance at a landfill or treatment facility.
Waste Broker View
Intermediary involved in arranging the transfer or management of waste (requires registration).
Waste Carrier View
Person or company transporting waste (requires licensing or registration).
Waste Dealer View
Intermediary buying or selling waste materials.
Waste Derived Fuel View
Fuel produced from processed waste (e.g., RDF or SRF).
Waste Facilities in UK View
Infrastructure sites for treatment, recovery, or disposal of waste.
Waste food only View
Source-separated food waste (no garden or other contaminants).
Waste Holder View
Person or organisation in possession of the waste.
Waste Management View
The collection, transport, treatment, recovery, and disposal of waste.
Waste Producer View
Person or organisation producing the waste.
Waste Quality Protocol View
End-of-Waste criteria defining when processed waste ceases to be waste.
Waste to Chemicals View
Processes converting waste into chemical products (e.g., via gasification or pyrolysis).
Waste to Fuel View
Processes converting waste into fuel products.
Waste Transfer Note View
Document accompanying non-hazardous waste transfers.
Waste Transfer Station View
Facility where waste is bulked up and transferred for further treatment or disposal.
Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating View
Sofas, armchairs, etc.; subject to specific fire safety and recycling rules (often abbreviated WUDS).
WasteDataFlow View
UK local authority web-based system for reporting municipal waste data.
WasteSmart View
Waste management software or system for tracking or optimisation.
WCA View
Waste Collection Authorities
WDA View
Waste Disposal Authority
WDF View
Waste Derived Fuel. Fuel produced from processed waste (e.g., RDF or SRF).
WECA View
West of England Combined Authority
WEEE View
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
WEEE - Flourescent tubes and other light bulbs View
Discarded fluorescent tubes and light bulbs; a category of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment requiring specialist recycling.
WEEE - Fridges & Freezers View
Discarded refrigerators and freezers; a category of WEEE containing refrigerants and requiring specialist treatment.
WEEE - Large Domestic App View
Large household electrical appliances (e.g., washing machines, ovens); a WEEE category.
WEEE - Small Domestic App View
Small household electrical appliances (e.g., toasters, hairdryers); a WEEE category.
WEEE - TVs & Monitors View
Discarded televisions and computer monitors; a WEEE category containing hazardous components.
WELEP View
West of England Local Enterprise Partnership now WECA
WEP View
West of England Partnership now part of WECA
WFD View
Waste Framework Directive
WI View
Historically the Waste Infrastructure Initiative - now the Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme
WID View
Waste Incineration Directive now replaced by the IED
WIDP View
Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme aka WI
Windrow or Other Composting View
Composting method using elongated piles (windrows) turned for aeration, or alternative composting systems.
WML View
Waste Management Licence for a facility - either transferred or in the process of transferring to an Environmental Permit
Wood for composting View
Woody garden or arboricultural waste suitable for composting or chipping.
WPIF View
Wood Panel Industries Federation
WRA (body) View
Wood Recycling Association
WRA (regulator) View
Waste Regulation Authority now part of Environment Agency
WRAP View
Waste and Resources Action Programme
WTS View
Waste Transfer Station. Facility where waste is bulked up and transferred for further treatment or disposal.
WUDS View
Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating. Sofas, armchairs, etc.; subject to specific fire safety and recycling rules (often abbreviated WUDS).