Waste codes in BDO

The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is to treat the waste code as a technical detail to be entered „at the end”, rather than as the basis of the entire record. In practice, it is exactly the opposite. It is the correct code that determines whether the waste is correctly included in the KPO, KEO, annual report and - often - whether the company recognises its obligations correctly at all. The official point of reference is not the „list from the internet” or the name of the waste commonly used in the company, but the waste catalogue set out in a decree of the Minister of Climate on 2 January 2020. It is there that you will find groups, subgroups and specific types of waste with codes, as well as hazardous waste designations. BDO does not create a separate catalogue, but operates on the basis of this very act.

Where does the waste code come from and how do you look for it?

The waste code should be derived from the actual source of the waste and not just from its appearance or common name. This is a key principle of classification. It is first established, what process, activity or use the waste came from, and only then selects the appropriate group and subgroup from the catalogue. In practice, this means that the same material may have a different code depending on where and how it is generated. A good example is used edible oils - BDO indicated that in catering operations they may be classified with a different code than typical municipal waste, precisely because they originate from a business activity and process. This shows that the code is not chosen „by the name of the waste”, but by its genesis. In BDO, the code is entered later on the transfer note and in the records, but the selection itself should be made earlier, based on the waste catalogue and not on the prompts of the system.

When is waste hazardous and what does the asterisk next to the code mean?

One of the most important elements of the waste catalogue is the designation of hazardous waste. In the catalogue they are marked with an asterisk next to the code. This is not an editing detail, but a signal that the waste requires a special approach in the recording and further handling. The official BDO instructions for hazardous waste record sheets show that in such a module the search engine is limited to hazardous codes only, and one record sheet is created for a given code in a given year. In practice, this means that confusing an ordinary code with a hazardous code, or vice versa, can have very serious consequences: from errors in the KPO, to incorrect record-keeping, to problems at inspection. This is particularly the case for categories such as contaminated packaging, some used electronics, batteries, fluorescent tubes or waste containing hazardous components.

What waste coding mistakes do companies make most often?

The most common mistake is to choose a code „on similarity” rather than on the basis of the source of the waste. The second is to use a code of convenience or the one most often used in the company without checking whether it actually fits a particular stream. The third is ignoring hazardous codes or using municipal codes for business waste. In practice, typical problems include toner cartridges, electronics, fluorescent lamps, oils, chemical packaging and mixed waste generated in services. Business.gov.pl reminds us that the waste code is entered both in the records and on the KPO, so one wrong choice very quickly „spills over” into further documentation. The safest approach is simple: first establish the source of the waste, then check the waste catalogue, and only then enter the code into BDO. It is this order that distinguishes correct classification from guesswork.

Frequently asked questions

If you want to check that your company's waste codes are selected correctly and that the records in BDO are not based on misclassification, it is worth verifying this before the problem escalates to a KPO, a report or an audit. For details, see Contact on the website, you can describe the types of waste in your company and match the scope of support to real responsibilities