Introduction to the Classification of Wastes

Virtual Training Programme

Date: 9th September 2026 09:30 - 11:00

Pricing

Course Details

This course is for anyone who is required to classify waste as part of their job. It provides an introduction to waste classification including sources of information to help with the waste classification process.

As part of your waste duty of care you must classify the waste your business produces:

before it is collected, disposed of or recovered

to identify the controls that apply to the movement of the waste

to complete waste documents and records

to identify suitably authorised waste management options

to prevent harm to people and the environment.

This course sets out the legislative requirements regarding classification of waste and explains how to follow WM3 regulatory guidance. WM3 is a comprehensive reference manual for anyone involved in producing, managing and regulating waste. It has been adopted by environmental regulators in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has a similar approach, but they have developed their own version of the guidance.

This course explains how to apply WM3 guidance to determine if the waste may have hazardous properties and then how to apply the correct EWC code to different waste types. It signposts to guidance for commonly produced wastes and explains when such guidance is applicable.

Please note: The EA recommends that you need to be competent in hazardous waste management and have some knowledge of chemistry to fully utilise all aspects of the WM3 guidance. As such, this course does not cover the complexities of hazardous waste classification in detail. CIWM provides additional training courses which explain how to complete detailed assessments of hazardous waste. However, this course provides the fundamentals of waste classification and signposts to further training and guidance, and explains when to seek specialist support for difficult to characterise waste.

What will I learn on the course?

Lesson 1 (Virtual) via Zoom

The Waste Framework Directive and what is waste?

Why do you need to classify waste?

Basis for legal requirement to describe waste only

Types of waste

The EWC Code: WM3 Regulatory Guidance Introduction and overview of WM3 procedure (with case studies and group exercises)

Lesson 2 (eLearning)

WM3 Assessment Procedure

Step 1: Check if the waste needs to be classified

Step 2: identify the code or codes that may apply to the waste (case studies and exercises)

Step 3: identify the assessment needed to select the correct code(s)

Step 4: determine the chemical composition of the waste

Step 5: identify if the substances in the waste are ‘hazardous substances’ or ‘Persistent Organic Pollutants

Step 6: Assess the hazardous properties of the waste

Step 7: assign the classification code and describe the hazardous properties

Who is it for?

This course is for anyone who is required to classify waste as part of their job. It provides an introduction to waste classification including sources of information to help with the waste classification process.

Please note: If you routinely need to classify hazardous wastes, we recommend that you complete CIWM’s hazardous waste training in addition to this course.



What are the entry requirements for this course?

You do not require any prior knowledge of waste and resource management to enrol in this course.



CPD: 3 Hours




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T: +44 (0)1604 823343
E: training@ciwm.co.uk