From Compliance Friction to a Search-First Platform
I’ve worn a few hats in the waste industry: Ex-Environment Agency officer, waste baler sales (which I loved), and Compliance Manager at a cable recycling facility.
So how did What Waste Code come about?
At the cable site, we would receive 25 tonnes of cable at a time. Mixed in with those loads, there was often contamination from WEEE products.
We had reliable outlets for the granulated cable and the copper - but finding somewhere to send the WEEE was a real challenge.
I did what any compliance manager would do: I used WM3, identified the correct EWC code, and started looking for a suitable waste facility.
That’s when the problems began:
- I couldn’t search for facilities by EWC code or waste description.
- Google showed me sites, but I had no way of knowing whether they could actually accept the waste.
- Brokers were an option - but they came with a cost.
So instead, I found myself filling out endless forms, making 10+ phone calls, and sending waste miles away… only to later discover there was a facility just around the corner that could have taken it. I just couldn’t find them when I needed them.
That frustration sparked the idea for What Waste Code.
The Problem With EWC Codes
EWC codes don’t always reflect how waste is described in the real world.
For example:
- Vapes fall under small electrical WEEE
- Mattresses are classified as bulky waste
- Road sweepings come under street cleaning
And there are plenty more examples where the description doesn’t quite match what people actually search for.
The Solution: What Waste Code
What Waste Code is a platform where waste facilities can:
- Sign up
- Upload their permitted or exempt EWC codes
- Describe their accepted waste streams in plain language
Users can then search by everyday terms - such as lithium-ion batteries, ferrous metals, vapes, sweepings - or by specific EWC codes like 17 04 11 (cables).
The platform connects waste producers directly with facilities that can genuinely accept their waste.
And it’s designed to be simple.
Instead of filling out multiple forms for different sites, users can:
- Select multiple facilities
- Complete just one enquiry form
- Send it to all selected sites at once
No more endless calls. No more guesswork. No more sending waste miles away unnecessarily.
What Waste Code was built to make waste compliance easier, clearer, and more efficient - for everyone involved.
If you’re comparing outlets, start with How to Choose the Right Waste Outlet for Your Business and use our listing guide to prepare a high-quality submission.
