Do electricians need waste transfer notes?

Yes. Cable offcuts, old consumer units, light fittings, and any other waste you remove from a customer site is controlled waste. A waste transfer note is required for every load, no matter how small.

Are fluorescent tubes hazardous waste?

Yes. Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain mercury and are classified as hazardous waste under EWC code 20 01 21*. They need proper documentation and must go to an authorised facility.

What is WEEE and do I need to worry about it?

WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Old consumer units, light fittings, smoke detectors, and thermostats all count. WEEE has specific disposal requirements and must be documented on your waste transfer notes.

Electricians & Electrical Contractors

Waste Transfer Notes for Electricians

Cable offcuts, old consumer units, fluorescent tubes, and WEEE waste — even small quantities of electrical waste are controlled. If you take it away from a customer site, you need a waste transfer note. QWTN makes it simple.

Create a Free WTN →See Pricing

Sound familiar?

The paperwork pain

Small loads still need a WTN

A bag of cable offcuts and an old consumer unit is still controlled waste. There is no minimum quantity threshold.

Fluorescent tubes are hazardous

Tubes and CFLs contain mercury. They need a hazardous waste code (20 01 21*) and stricter handling.

WEEE vs general waste confusion

Is a removed smoke detector WEEE? What about a broken thermostat? The wrong classification puts you at risk.

No paperwork system in place

Most sparks don’t have a system for waste notes. If the EA checks, you need records going back 2 years.

How QWTN helps

Built for Electricians

Works on Your Phone

Create a WTN on-site after a rewire or board change. Takes less than a minute.

Hazardous Waste Flagging

QWTN highlights hazardous codes like 20 01 21* so you never miss one.

EWC Code Lookup

Search for "cables", "fluorescent tubes", or "consumer unit" and get the right code instantly.

Free Tier Available

Create and download waste transfer notes free — no account needed for one-off notes.

Templates for Common Jobs

Save waste types for rewires, board changes, and commercial fit-outs. Reuse on the next job.

2-Year Cloud Storage

Notes stored securely online. Ready for any EA inspection, any time.

Quick reference

Common EWC Codes

17 04 11Cables

20 01 21*Fluorescent tubes and mercury-containing waste

20 01 36Discarded electrical and electronic equipment

16 02 16Components removed from discarded equipment

See all electricians & electrical contractors EWC codes

Simple pricing

Plans that fit your operation

Recommended

Solo

£12/month

One-person operations

Carrier

£29/month

Teams up to 5

Fleet

£69/month

Unlimited team

All plans include a free trial. One-off notes are always free, no account needed.

Learn more

Small Business Guide to Waste Duty of Care (UK)

Even the smallest UK business has a legal duty of care for its waste. This guide explains what small businesses must do, common misconceptions, and the simplest way to stay compliant.

Hazardous Waste Regulations UK: When Do Different Rules Apply?

Hazardous waste in England and Wales requires consignment notes rather than standard waste transfer notes. Learn when these stricter rules apply, how to classify hazardous waste, and producer registration requirements.

EWC Codes Explained: How to Classify Your Waste Correctly

European Waste Catalogue codes are 6-digit numbers used to classify waste on transfer notes. This guide explains how the system works, how to find the right code, and the most common codes for UK businesses.

Common questions

FAQ

Even a bag of cable offcuts needs a WTN. Get covered in 60 seconds.

Create compliant waste transfer notes on your phone — free to start.

Create a free note →Create free account

No sign-up needed for one-off notes · 2-year cloud storage · DEFRA 2026 ready