Waste code
EWC 20 01 39: plastics
20 01 39
Typed into Defra's service and Byrne Waste Tracking as 200139. It is not a hazardous entry.
Who takes it
735 permitted sites in England recorded taking 20 01 39 in their 2024 returns to the Environment Agency.
What happens to it
The recovery or disposal code those sites recorded most for 20 01 39 in 2024 (the code each site used for most of its tonnes):
| Code | Means | Sites |
|---|
| R13 | storage pending recovery | 46% |
| R3 | recycling organic substances | 25% |
| R5 | recycling other inorganic materials | 10% |
| D15 | storage pending disposal | 6% |
The right code is the one on your own permit and transfer notes - this is what other sites did, not a rule. R and D codes explained.
Easy to mix up
- 20 01 01 paper and cardboard
- 20 01 02 glass
- 20 01 08 biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste
Recording it for Defra: every load needs its own record within two working days of the day after it arrives. In Byrne Waste Tracking you tap this code once and it is remembered for the next load; it checks each load against Defra's rules before it saves and sends it to Defra by itself once your Defra account is linked. £89 a site a month, no contract. Start free · Using Defra's spreadsheet? Check it free