D2: depositing waste from train toilets
The D2 exemption allows older rolling stock not fitted with appropriate collection facilities to deposit sanitary waste on to the track.
Applies to England
There’s a charge for most waste exemptions
This exemption is in band 3. Read waste exemption charges to find out what the charges and charging bands are.
This exemption allows train operators to empty waste from a train toilet or sink on to a railway track.
More than one railway operating company can register a D2 exemption at the same track at the same time.
Type and amount of waste you can deposit
| Waste code | Type of waste |
|---|---|
| 20 03 99 | Waste from railway sanitary conveniences only |
You can deposit up to 25 litres of waste per discharge.
There is no limit on the number of discharges you can make.
Conditions
You must comply with the exemption conditions. The waste you discharge must match the waste code, type of waste, and quantities allowed.
You cannot:
- discharge waste from the toilet or sink of any other type of vehicle, such as a bus
- discharge any other types of waste on to a railway track
- bring in sanitary waste from trains operating on a different railway line
RegisterRegistering a D2 waste exemption
You must register with the Environment Agency.
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Charges for registering a D2 exemption
Read waste exemption charges to find out what the charges and charging bands are.
D2 exemption has a band 3 compliance charge.
There’s a registration charge to register one or more exemptions at a time.
Charities register free
Charities do not have to pay for waste exemptions. If you’re a charity, call the Environment Agency to register free of charge.
To qualify as a charity, your organisation’s aims and purposes must be exclusively charitable. Your organisation must operate for the public benefit.
Read the Charity Commission’s list and descriptions of charitable purposes to find out if your organisation falls within one of the 13 types of charitable activity.
Read waste exemptions guidance in full.
Contact the Environment Agency
General enquiries
National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY
Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone 03708 506 506
Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Updates to this page
-
Updated with information about charges and charging bands for waste exemptions. Improved overall clarity of the guidance.
Update history
2026-01-27 09:30
Added details and a link to a new online form for registering the D2 waste exemption along a linear network.
2025-10-28 08:27
Updated with clearer details about how to register a linear network, and who qualifies as a charity to register free.
2025-07-01 09:30
Updated with information about charges and charging bands for waste exemptions. Improved overall clarity of the guidance.
2025-06-09 10:46
Updated with information about registering a railway line as a linear network.