List of Recovery Codes

Use as a fuel (other than in direct incineration) or other means to generate energy - use of tyres, waste oils, or spent solvents in cement kilns; co-incineration of sewage sludge or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from municipal waste in power stations.

R2 Solvent reclamation/regeneration

Solvent reclamation/regeneration - re-refining of solvents in order to separate contaminants and to restore the solvent to its original quality or to a
lower grade product (e.g. lacquer thinner); preparation of secondary liquid fuels (SLF), usually by blending with other liquid wastes.

R3 Organic substance recycling/reclamation

Recycling/reclamation of organic substances which are not used as solvents - recycling of waste paper and board; reprocessing and recycling of plastic waste; composting of bio waste and green waste; fermentation of biodegradable waste for biogas production (biogas plants).

R4 Metal recycling/reclamation

Recycling/reclamation of metals and metal compounds - recycling of scrap and production waste in steelworks; shredding and reprocessing of ELVs and WEEE; thermal treatment of cables or oil-contaminated metals; battery recycling; electrolytic recovery of silver from photo chemicals.

R5 Inorganic substance recycling/reclamation

Recycling/reclamation of other inorganic materials - reprocessing of construction and demolition waste; reprocessing and recycling of glass waste; use as secondary raw material in cement kilns; asphalt mixing plants; use for underground stowage in mines.

R6 Regeneration of acids or bases

Regeneration of acids or bases - re-concentration of spent acids; the thermal decomposition of spent sulphuric acid for use as feedstock in sulphuric acid production.

R7 Recovery of components used for pollution abatement

Recovery of components used for pollution abatement - regeneration of activated carbon from water purification and flue gas treatment, mainly by thermal treatment; the regeneration of resins by solvent washing.

R8 Recovery of components from catalysts

Recovery of components from catalysts -regeneration of catalysts to be reused as catalysts; the recovery of catalyst components, mainly of metal components, e.g. recycling of precious metals from catalytic converters in vehicle exhausts.

R9 Used oil refining or other reuses of previously used oil

Used oil re-refining or other reuses of previously used oil - Re-refining into base oils which can be used to manufacture lubricating products; use to generate fuel which can be used as a substitute for coal, diesel and light fuel.

R10 Landspreading

Land treatment resulting in benefit to agriculture or ecological improvement - use of sewage sludge in agriculture in compliance with the Sewage Sludge Directive; the spreading on land of compost from the treatment of separately collected biowaste; the use of manure in compliance with agricultural regulations; the use of mineral wastes as fertilisers in compliance with national legislation; landscape restoration, e.g. as final landfill cover; restoration of old disused quarries.

R11 Use of residuals

Uses of residual materials obtained from any of the operations numbered R1-R10 - energy recovery of sorting residues, shredder light fraction, or distillation sludge from oil-refining; the use of slag from co-incineration for underground stowage.

R12 Waste Exchange prior to recovery

Exchange of wastes for submission to any of the operations numbered R1-R11 - basic sorting activities; mixing of waste from different generators before it is sent to a recovery facility; transfer and compaction of waste; shredding of wood waste prior to energy recovery.

R13 Storage prior to recovery

Accumulation of material intended for any operation numbered R1-R12 - interim storage of waste prior to recovery is limited to a period of <3 years, otherwise storage is subject to provisions of Landfill Directive.

The below section was written by a machine.

Technical Guidance: Understanding Waste Recovery Codes (R-Codes)

In the context of UK environmental permitting, distinguishing between "recovery" and "disposal" is a critical regulatory hurdle. Recovery operations are activities where waste serves a useful purpose by replacing other materials which would otherwise have been used to fulfill a particular function. Correctly identifying the relevant R-code (R1 through R13) is essential for your permit application and annual waste returns to the Environment Agency.

The Hierarchy of Waste Recovery Operations

Recovery operations are defined under Annex II of the Waste Framework Directive. Selecting the correct code depends on the primary nature of the waste treatment process.

• Energy Recovery (R1): Use of waste principally as a fuel or other means to generate energy, common in small incinerator operations.
• Material Recycling (R3, R4, R5): Recycling or reclamation of organic substances (R3), metals (R4), or other inorganic materials (R5). This is a cornerstone of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) focusing on circular economy principles.
• Land Treatment and Reprofiling (R10): Land treatment resulting in benefit to agriculture or ecological improvement, often requiring a benefit statement.

Regulatory Compliance and "Recovery vs. Disposal"

The distinction between an R-code and a disposal code (D-code) can have significant financial implications, particularly regarding Landfill Tax. For projects involving the use of waste in construction, such as bunds or noise attenuation, a formal waste recovery plan must be submitted and approved by the regulator to prove that the activity is not sham recovery.

Expert Consultancy for Permitting

At SWEL, we provide the technical authority required to navigate these complex definitions. By integrating your waste coding strategy with a robust Environmental Management System (EMS), we ensure that your facility operates within the law while maximizing the value of waste streams. Whether you are applying for a waste transfer permit or managing a bespoke site, our team offers the professional accreditation (IES/CIWEM) to secure your project's compliance across the UK.