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POST
/
v1
/
classify-waste
Classify Waste
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.example.com/v1/classify-waste \
  --header 'Authorization: <authorization>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: <content-type>' \
  --data '
{
  "description": "<string>",
  "source_industry": "<string>",
  "additional_context": "<string>",
  "max_results": 123
}
'
{
  "classifications": [
    {}
  ],
  "classifications[].ewc_code": "<string>",
  "classifications[].confidence": 123,
  "classifications[].reasoning": "<string>",
  "classifications[].is_hazardous": true,
  "compliance.hazardous_waste": true,
  "compliance.requires_consignment_note": true,
  "compliance.disposal_notes": "<string>"
}

​
Classify Waste

Classifies a plain-English waste description into the correct European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code(s) using AI. The EWC comprises approximately 650 six-digit codes across 20 chapters. Codes marked with an asterisk are hazardous.
Requires authentication via Authorization header. See Authentication.

​
Request

Method: POST Path: /v1/classify-waste

​
Headers

​
Authorization
string
required
Bearer token with your API key, e.g. Bearer wc_live_your_key
​
Content-Type
string
required
Must be application/json

​
Body Parameters

​
description
string
required
Plain-English description of the waste
​
source_industry
string
Industry or activity that produced the waste (improves accuracy)
​
additional_context
string
Extra detail about contamination, composition, etc.
​
max_results
integer
Number of classifications to return (default 3, max 5)

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Response

​
Success Response (200)

{
  "classifications": [
    {
      "ewc_code": "17 08 02",
      "description": "Gypsum-based construction materials",
      "chapter": "17 - Construction and demolition wastes",
      "is_hazardous": false,
      "confidence": 0.94,
      "reasoning": "Plasterboard is gypsum-based. Non-contaminated material from construction falls under chapter 17."
    }
  ],
  "compliance": {
    "hazardous_waste": false,
    "flags": [],
    "disposal_notes": "Standard non-hazardous waste. Suitable for licensed waste transfer station or recycling.",
    "requires_consignment_note": false
  },
  "metadata": {
    "classified_at": "2026-03-25T14:31:00Z",
    "model_version": "1.0",
    "cached": false
  }
}
​
classifications
array
Ranked list of matching EWC codes with confidence scores
​
classifications[].ewc_code
string
Six-digit EWC code (e.g. 17 08 02)
​
classifications[].confidence
number
Confidence score from 0 to 1. Below 0.7 suggests manual review
​
classifications[].reasoning
string
Explanation of why this code was selected (for audit trails)
​
classifications[].is_hazardous
boolean
Whether this EWC code is classified as hazardous
​
compliance.hazardous_waste
boolean
True if any returned code is hazardous
​
compliance.requires_consignment_note
boolean
True if hazardous waste requires a consignment note
​
compliance.disposal_notes
string
Guidance on appropriate disposal or recycling

​
Confidence Scores

ScoreInterpretationRecommended Action
0.9 - 1.0High confidenceSafe to use directly
0.7 - 0.89Moderate confidenceAcceptable, but review if waste is unusual
Below 0.7Low confidenceManual review recommended. A LOW_CONFIDENCE flag is returned

​
Caching

Classifications are cached for 7 days based on the exact combination of description and source_industry. EWC codes don’t change, so cached results remain accurate. The metadata.cached field indicates cache status.

​
Error Responses

CodeHTTPWhen
INVALID_REQUEST400Missing description field
CLASSIFICATION_FAILED500Waste classification could not be completed

​
Example

curl -X POST https://api.wastecheck.co.uk/v1/classify-waste \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer wc_live_your_api_key_here" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "description": "Broken plasterboard from office refurbishment",
    "source_industry": "construction",
    "additional_context": "Non-contaminated, from internal walls"
  }'