Materials recovery
What this code covers
Use this class for materials recovery when the main activity includes Further included is the recovery of materials from waste streams in the form of: (1) separating and sorting recoverable materials from non-hazardous waste streams; or (2) separating and sorting of commingled recoverable materials (for example, paper, plastics, used beverage cans and metals) into distinct categories. and Examples of the mechanical or chemical transformation processes that are undertaken include:. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Official NACE Rev. 2.1 labels and explanatory notes are imported from the source dataset. Plain-language explanations are shown separately so readers can compare interpretation with the source text.
No child codes; this is a class-level code.
- This class includes the processing of metal and non-metal waste, including scrap and other articles into secondary raw materials.
- Further included is the recovery of materials from waste streams in the form of: (1) separating and sorting recoverable materials from non-hazardous waste streams; or (2) separating and sorting of commingled recoverable materials (for example, paper, plastics, used beverage cans and metals) into distinct categories.
- Examples of the mechanical or chemical transformation processes that are undertaken include:
- mechanical crushing and shredding of metal waste (e.g. from used cars, washing machines or motorcycles)
- manufacture of new final products from secondary raw materials, whether or not self-manufactured (e.g. spinning yarn from garnetted stock, making pulp from paper waste, retreading tyres or the production of metal from metal scrap), see corresponding classes in section C
- reprocessing of nuclear fuels, see 20.13
- remelting of plastics to produce granulates or compounds, see 20.16
- remelting ferrous waste and scrap, see 24.10
- Compare with 20.13, 20.16, 24.10 when the main activity overlaps another code.
- Review the Rev. 2 to Rev. 2.1 mapping type before migrating old records.
- Check national equivalent caveats before using this code for local registration or filing workflows.
- If the main revenue activity appears in an exclusion, compare the alternative code before deciding.
Use this guide as classification support, not legal, tax, filing, or regulatory advice.
- - This class includes the processing of metal and non-metal waste, including scrap and other articles into secondary raw materials.
- - Further included is the recovery of materials from waste streams in the form of: (1) separating and sorting recoverable materials from non-hazardous waste streams; or (2) separating and sorting of commingled recoverable materials (for example, paper, plastics, used beverage cans and metals) into distinct categories.
- - Examples of the mechanical or chemical transformation processes that are undertaken include:
- - mechanical crushing and shredding of metal waste (e.g. from used cars, washing machines or motorcycles)
- - mechanical reduction of large iron pieces (e.g. railway wagons)
- - recovery of iron from clinker
- - reclaiming metals out of photographic waste (e.g. fixer solution or photographic films and paper)
- - dismantling of wrecks of any type (automobiles, ships, computers, televisions and other equipment) for materials recovery
- - producing of rubber powder from rubber waste and scrap, including decontamination, division (elimination) of fractions and devulcanising
- - sorting and mechanical processing (e.g. cleaning, grinding) of plastics to produce secondary raw materials
- - processing (ageing, cleaning, sorting) of incineration bottom ash into secondary raw materials (metals, aggregates)
- - crushing, cleaning and sorting of glass
- - crushing, cleaning and sorting of other waste (e.g. demolition waste to obtain secondary raw materials)
- - processing of food, beverage and tobacco waste and residual substances into secondary raw materials
- - recovery of waste oil, processing of used cooking oils and fats into secondary raw materials
- - extraction of silver from waste chemicals, other than by electrolytic refining
- - recovery of phosphorus from the incineration of sewage sludge
- - recovery of textile and clothing products by mechanical, thermal or chemical processes
- - production of waste compost
- - production of biogas from waste, not for the purpose of gas or energy supply
- - manufacture of new final products from secondary raw materials, whether or not self-manufactured (e.g. spinning yarn from garnetted stock, making pulp from paper waste, retreading tyres or the production of metal from metal scrap), see corresponding classes in section C
- - reprocessing of nuclear fuels, see 20.13
- - remelting of plastics to produce granulates or compounds, see 20.16
- - remelting ferrous waste and scrap, see 24.10
- - production of biogas from waste for gas supply, see 35.21
- - energy recovery during waste thermal treatment, see 38.22
- - disposal of waste without recovery and treatment prior to disposal, see 38.3
- - wholesale of recoverable materials, see 46.87
- - Further included is the recovery of materials from waste streams in the form of: (1) separating and sorting recoverable materials from non-hazardous waste streams; or (2) separating and sorting of commingled recoverable materials (for example, paper, plastics, used beverage cans and metals) into distinct categories.
- - Examples of the mechanical or chemical transformation processes that are undertaken include:
- - Mechanical crushing and shredding of metal waste (e.g. from used cars, washing machines or motorcycles)
- - Mechanical reduction of large iron pieces (e.g. railway wagons)
- - Manufacture of new final products from secondary raw materials, whether or not self-manufactured (e.g. spinning yarn from garnetted stock, making pulp from paper waste, retreading tyres or the production of metal from metal scrap), see corresponding classes in section C
- - Reprocessing of nuclear fuels
- - Remelting of plastics to produce granulates or compounds
- - Remelting ferrous waste and scrap
What is NACE 38.21 used for?
Use NACE 38.21 for materials recovery when the main activity matches this scope: Use this class for materials recovery when the main activity includes Further included is the recovery of materials from waste streams in the form of: (1) separating and sorting recoverable materials from non-hazardous waste streams; or (2) separating and sorting of commingled recoverable materials (for example, paper, plastics, used beverage cans and metals) into distinct categories. and Examples of the mechanical or chemical transformation processes that are undertaken include:. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
What are typical examples for 38.21?
Typical examples include Further included is the recovery of materials from waste streams in the form of: (1) separating and sorting recoverable materials from non-hazardous waste streams; or (2) separating and sorting of commingled recoverable materials (for example, paper, plastics, used beverage cans and metals) into distinct categories., Examples of the mechanical or chemical transformation processes that are undertaken include:, and Mechanical crushing and shredding of metal waste (e.g. from used cars, washing machines or motorcycles).
When might 38.21 not be the right code?
Review another code when the activity is closer to manufacture of new final products from secondary raw materials, whether or not self-manufactured (e.g. spinning yarn from garnetted stock, making pulp from paper waste, retreading tyres or the production of metal from metal scrap), see corresponding classes in section C and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, see 20.13.
Which codes should I compare before choosing 38.21?
Compare 38.21 with 20.13 Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals, 20.16 Manufacture of plastics in primary forms, and 24.10 Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys when the activity description is ambiguous.
Use this class for manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals when the main activity includes Manufacture of chemical elements (except industrial gases and basic metals) and Manufacture of inorganic acids, except nitric acid. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this class for manufacture of plastics in primary forms when the main activity includes Manufacture of plastics in primary forms: and Polymers, including those of ethylene, propylene, styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate and acrylics. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this class for manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys when the main activity includes Operation of blast furnaces, steel converters, rolling and finishing mills and Production of pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other primary forms. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this class for manufacture of gas when the main activity includes Production of gaseous fuels for energy supply through a gas distribution network (e.g. by carbonation of coal, gasification of lignite, electrolysis or methanisation) and Production of gaseous fuels for energy supply with a specified calorific value, by purification, blending and other processes from gases of various types, including natural gas or hydrogen. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this class for energy recovery when the main activity includes Energy recovery. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this group for waste disposal without recovery when the main activity includes Incineration without energy recovery and Landfilling or permanent storage. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this class for wholesale of waste and scrap when the main activity includes Wholesale of metal and non-metal waste and scrap and materials for recycling, including collecting, sorting, separating, stripping of used goods (e.g. cars in order to obtain reusable parts), packing and repacking, storage and delivery, but without a transformation process. Additionally, the purchased and sold waste has a remaining value and Wholesale of usable goods (metal, plastics), following the dismantling of cars, computers, televisions and other equipment on own account by the unit without further transformation of the goods. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this class for other waste recovery when the main activity includes Preparation of sewage sludge for land treatment resulting in benefits to agriculture or ecological improvement and Preparation of non-hazardous waste for reclamation in excavated areas or for engineering purposes in landscaping. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Use this group for waste recovery when the main activity includes Materials recovery and Energy recovery. Check exclusions and nearby codes before applying it to a mixed activity.
Rev. 2 code 38.21 can map to more than one Rev. 2.1 class: 38.21 Materials recovery, 38.22 Energy recovery, 38.23 Other waste recovery, 38.31 Incineration without energy recovery, 38.32 Landfilling or permanent storage, 38.33 Other waste disposal.
Official close match imported from NACE Rev. 2.1.
Datasets, CRM segments, KYC rules, reporting logic, and historical joins may need review because the activity scope is not a simple unchanged carry-over.
Review the official explanatory notes for each target code and confirm whether the business activity still fits the suggested Rev. 2.1 class.
Rev. 2 code 38.31 is one of multiple older codes associated with Rev. 2.1 class 38.21 Materials recovery.
Official close match imported from NACE Rev. 2.1.
Datasets, CRM segments, KYC rules, reporting logic, and historical joins may need review because the activity scope is not a simple unchanged carry-over.
Review the official explanatory notes for each target code and confirm whether the business activity still fits the suggested Rev. 2.1 class.
Rev. 2 code 38.32 can map to more than one Rev. 2.1 class: 20.16 Manufacture of plastics in primary forms, 38.21 Materials recovery.
Official close match imported from NACE Rev. 2.1.
Datasets, CRM segments, KYC rules, reporting logic, and historical joins may need review because the activity scope is not a simple unchanged carry-over.
Review the official explanatory notes for each target code and confirm whether the business activity still fits the suggested Rev. 2.1 class.