KGA vs KCA: what's the difference?

The abbreviations KGA and KCA are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. The difference lies mainly in the origin of the waste — and that determines how and by whom it must be disposed of.

KCA: small chemical waste

KCA stands for small chemical waste and comes from households. Think of batteries, paint, lamps, medicines and cleaning products. Private individuals hand this in at the municipal recycling centre or the council's chemical-waste collection vehicle.

KGA: small hazardous waste

KGA stands for small hazardous waste and is the commercial variant. It concerns hazardous waste in small quantities produced by businesses — for example oil filters, aerosols, adhesives, batteries and chemical residues. The rules for hazardous waste apply to KGA: it must be collected by a registered collector, with the accompanying documentation.

Why the distinction matters

For businesses it is important to know that their hazardous waste is treated as KGA and therefore does not belong in the regular or household circuit. This determines the disposal route, the required paperwork and the party allowed to collect it. IAM handles the collection and processing of KGA for a wide range of sectors.

Official source: Rijkswaterstaat – EURAL & waste classification