U8: using waste for a specific purpose
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-01)

U8 exemption allows you to recycle waste that does not need treating before being used. This helps reduce the use of virgin materials.

There’s a charge for most waste exemptions

This exemption is in band 2. 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.

Conditions

The waste must not be treated or need any treatment before you use it.

You must use the waste type only for the purpose specified.

You cannot:

use more waste than you need for the purpose

mix hazardous waste with other hazardous or non-hazardous waste

treat waste - see ‘Related exemptions’

Using more than you need is regarded as disposal of waste, and is not exempt.

When you do not need a U8 exemption

You do not need a U8 if you’re using virgin wood offcuts, sawdust, or shavings that:
- are for specific use as animal bedding or a surface for training horses
- are a by-product that has come directly from the sawmill or other producer
Read Check if your material is waste (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-material-is-waste) to find out if your material is regarded as a by-product intended for use, or waste.

Types and amounts of waste, and what you can use it for

Your waste must fit within the waste codes and descriptions in the tables.

Table 1: Waste used for animal bedding and exercise surfaces

Virgin wood offcuts, sawdust, or shavings that have come directly from the producer do not need an exemption.

Table 2: Waste used for treating water and wastewater

If using aluminium hydroxide, ferric chloride, and sludges and solutions, you must:

store within secondary containment and in a location with sealed drainage

use no more than 10 tonnes of ferric chloride or aluminium hydroxide per day within 50 cubic metres

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. Read Hazardous waste regulations (https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste).

Table 3: Construction purposes

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. Read Hazardous waste regulations (https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste).

Table 4: Other specific purposes

If you’re using waste tyres, you must only store up to 10 tonnes within the 40 tonnes allowed at any one time.

(*) An asterisk at the end of a code means the waste is hazardous. Read Hazardous waste regulations. (https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste)

Registering your waste exemption

Register a U8 exemption with the Environment Agency. You can register and pay through the waste exemption service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-waste-exemptions).

Registration rules

You cannot:

register more than one U8 at the same site

register a U8 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 or treat waste that’s not included in the exemption

Waste exemption charges

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

U8 exemption has a band 2 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. U8 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.

Related exemptions
- S2: storing waste at a secure site (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/s2-waste-exemption-storing-waste-in-a-secure-place)
- T4: storing and preparing for further treatment (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t4-preparatory-treatments-baling-sorting-shredding-etc)
- 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)
- T12: manually treating waste (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t12-manually-treating-waste)
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.