# What Waste Code — Full Documentation

## Purpose
UK waste compliance directory. Search for licensed waste sites by EWC code,
waste keyword, organisation name, or location. Compare operators, view permits,
and request quotes.

## Public pages

### Search & discovery
- Search by EWC code: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search?ewc={ewc_code}
- Search by keyword: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search?q={search_term}
- Search by organisation: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search?q={organisation_name}
- Search with geolocation: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search?q={search_term}&lat={lat}&lng={lng}
- Map view: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search/map
- Map filtered by EWC chapter: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search/map/{chapter_handle}

### Reference
- EWC glossary (all chapters and codes): https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/ewc-glossary
- EWC lookup tool (identify the right code): https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/ewc-lookup
- Blog: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/blog
- Blog post: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/blog/{post_handle}

### Directory detail pages
- Site detail: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/sites/{site_slug}
- Organisation detail: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/organisations/{organisation_slug}

### Information
- About: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/about-us
- Listing guide: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/listing-guide
- FAQs: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/faqs
- Contact: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/contact-us
- Privacy policy: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/privacy-policy
- Terms and conditions: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/terms-and-conditions

## Machine-readable API

### GET /data/ewc/{ewc_code}
- URL: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/data/ewc/{ewc_code}
- Returns JSON with published sites that hold a given EWC code.
- Optional query param: limit (default 100, max 200).
- Response: { ewc_code, total_sites, returned_sites, search_url, sites[] }
- Each site: { name, slug, url, organisation_name, address_line_1, city, postcode }

## Query normalisation
- EWC codes are normalised to the XX XX XX pattern (e.g. 010407 -> 01 04 07).
- Hazardous codes use an asterisk suffix (e.g. 01 04 07*).
- The API accepts both forms and resolves to the canonical code.

## Search features
- Keyword search matches waste item names, EWC descriptions, and organisation names.
- "Near me" geolocation filtering returns sites sorted by distance.
- Results include trust and capability badges, waste acceptance details, and site permits.
- The EWC lookup tool uses keyword matching with optional AI fallback to suggest codes.

## Site detail pages include
- Full list of accepted EWC codes.
- Accepted and excluded waste items.
- Trust and capability badges.
- Permit documents and additional licences.
- Organisation contact details and description.
- Location map.

## Examples

### Find sites by EWC code
- "Which sites accept EWC 17 01 01 (concrete)?"
  -> https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search?ewc=17%2001%2001
  -> https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/data/ewc/17%2001%2001 (JSON)

### Find sites by waste type
- "Where can I dispose of plasterboard?"
  -> https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search?q=plasterboard

### Find sites near a location
- "Find skip hire near Birmingham"
  -> https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/search?q=skip+hire&lat=52.4862&lng=-1.8904

### Identify the right EWC code
- "What EWC code is office furniture?"
  -> https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/ewc-lookup

## Data policy
- Only published sites appear in public responses.
- Admin and onboarding routes are excluded from crawling.
- Sitemap: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/sitemap.xml
- Summary version: https://www.whatwastecode.co.uk/llms.txt