D2: depositing waste from train toilets
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-28)

The D2 exemption allows older rolling stock not fitted with appropriate collection facilities to deposit sanitary waste on to the track.

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 and charging bands are.

This exemption allows train operators to empty waste from a train toilet or sink on to a railway track.

More than one railway operating company can register a D2 exemption at the same track at the same time.

Type and amount of waste you can deposit

You can deposit up to 25 litres of waste per discharge.

There is no limit on the number of discharges you can make.

Conditions

You must comply with the exemption conditions. The waste you discharge must match the waste code, type of waste, and quantities allowed.

You cannot:
- discharge waste from the toilet or sink of any other type of vehicle, such as a bus
- discharge any other types of waste on to a railway track
- bring in sanitary waste from trains operating on a different railway line
Registering a D2 waste exemption

A railway track is a type of linear network. Use the linear network registration form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-bulk-registration-form) to register a D2 exemption.

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

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 applicable, 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.

Charges for registering a D2 exemption

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 and charging bands are.

D2 exemption has a band 3 compliance charge.

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

Charities register free

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

To qualify as a charity, your organisation’s aims and purposes must be exclusively charitable. Your organisation must 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.

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

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.