U12: using mulch
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-28)

Types of waste and maximum amounts you can use for spreading as mulch to benefit land around trees, bushes or plants, under U12 waste exemption.

There’s a charge for most waste exemptions

This exemption is in band 3. Read waste exemption charges (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/waste-exemption-charges) to find out what the charges are and how much you’ll pay.

The U12 exemption allows landscapers, farmers and growers to spread mulch using wood chips and plant matter made from waste.

Conditions

You must comply with the exemption conditions.

The waste you use must:
- match the waste codes
- be suitable for mulching
- be stored in a secure location before it is used
You cannot:
- use more waste than is needed to protect and benefit the soil - using more is classed as disposal
- store and use more than the maximum amount allowed
- use waste wood that has been chemically treated
Chemically treated waste wood means it has been preserved, varnished, coated, painted or exposed to chemicals.

Types and amounts of waste you can use

Your waste must fit within the waste code and description.

You can store or use up to 100 tonnes of mulch in total in any month.

Check if you need other permits

You must comply with other rules that apply to your activity. You’ll need an environmental permit (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-environmental-permits) or a different exemption if you want to use:
- waste that is not listed in this exemption
- more waste than is allowed
Waste activity along a linear network

Linear networks are long stretches that do not have a defined address or gridpoint. They include roads, rivers, canals and railways.

You can register a U12 exemption if the mulch is produced and used on the same linear network. You cannot import waste mulch from other sites.

You can use up to 10 tonnes of mulch per linear mile per month.

Register a U12 waste exemption

Most businesses can register and pay through the waste exemption service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-waste-exemptions).

There’s a different process for linear networks and multiple site registrations.

Linear networks and multiple site registrations

Complete this registration form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-bulk-registration-form) instead of using the online service.

Register in the name of the business, at the registered office or main place of business.

If you’re registering along a linear network, you’ll need to provide one of the following:
- grid references for the start point A and end point B of your area of waste activity
- a map showing all your areas of activity with descriptions of the locations
Email your form, and map if necessary, to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Read the updated guidance on linear network registration (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/registration-rules-and-guidance#linear-network) to find out more.

Charities register free

Charities do not have to pay for waste exemptions. If you’re a charity, call the Environment Agency to register free.

To qualify as a charity, all your organisation’s aims and purposes must be exclusively charitable. Your organisation must also operate for the public benefit.

Read the Charity Commission’s list and descriptions of charitable purposes (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charitable-purposes/charitable-purposes) to find out if your organisation falls within one of the 13 types of charitable activity.

Registration rules

You cannot:
- have more than one U12 at a site at the same time
- register a U12 if it’s already been registered at the site by another business
- renew your registration more than one month before the 3-year registration period ends
- increase the storage limit by registering a separate storage exemption
- store waste that’s not included in the exemption
- deregister an exemption then register it again within 3 years of the start of the earlier registration
Waste exemption charges

Read waste exemption charges (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/waste-exemption-charges) to find out what the charges are.

U12 exemption has a band 3 compliance charge.

There’s a registration charge to register one or more exemptions at a time.

Farmer charges

Farmers pay a capped charge for any number of farming exemptions. U12 is included in the list of farming exemptions.

Read waste exemptions guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay) in full.

U12 related exemptions

T6: treating waste wood and plant matter (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t6-treating-waste-wood-and-waste-plant-matter-by-chipping-shredding-cutting-or-pulverising)

U10: spreading waste to benefit agricultural land (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-u10-spreading-waste-to-benefit-agricultural-land)

U11: spreading waste on non-agricultural land (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-u11-spreading-waste-to-benefit-non-agricultural-land)

Contact the Environment Agency

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre PO Box 544RotherhamS60 1BY

Email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Telephone 03708 506 506

Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) xx-xxxx-xxxx

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.