T16 waste exemption: treating waste toner and ink cartridges
The T16 exemption allows you to treat waste toner or ink cartridges by sorting, cleaning, dismantling or refilling them.
Applies to England
Types of activity you can carry out
This includes cleaning and refilling waste toner cartridges so they can be reused.
Types of activity you cannot carry out
You cannot:
- treat waste toner or ink cartridges that are hazardous waste
- treat waste toner or ink cartridges to dispose of them to landfill or incinerate them
Types of waste you can treat
The waste codes are those listed in the List of Wastes (LoW) Regulations. You need to make sure your waste fits within the relevant waste code and description.
| Waste code | Type of waste |
|---|---|
| 080313 | Waste ink not containing hazardous substances |
| 080318 | Waste printing toner not containing hazardous substances |
| 150102 | Plastic packaging |
| 160216 | Cartridges not containing hazardous substances taken from discarded electrical equipment |
| 200139 | Plastics |
Amount of waste you can treat
You can store and treat up to 150 tonnes of cartridges at any one time.
Key conditions
The treatment must be carried out indoors.
The waste must be treated in a location with sealed drainage.
Other things you need to know
Any waste toner or ink produced from the treatment activity should be stored to prevent it being released into the environment.
Related exemptions
S2 – storage of waste in a secure place.
Register a T16 exemption
You need to register this exemption with the Environment Agency if you meet the requirements.
Definitions
Hazardous waste – see How to classify different types of waste
Sealed drainage – a drainage system with an impermeable surface that makes sure that:
- no liquid will run off the surface apart from via the system
- except where they may be lawfully discharged, all liquids entering the system are collected in a sealed sump
Updates to this page
Last updated 5 November 2015 + show all updates
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Changed reference of 'dangerous substances' to 'hazardous substances' due to changes in the law.
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First published.