What is Digital Waste Tracking?

Not every business needs to start using the system in October 2026.

Phase 1 applies to organisations that operate sites permitted or licensed to receive controlled waste. These sites must report each qualifying load received through the Digital Waste Tracking service from October 1st, 2026 in England and Wales, or January 1st, 2027 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The next phase is aimed at the wider waste industry, including carriers, brokers and dealers. Mandatory use for these operators is currently planned from October 2027.

Businesses that simply produce commercial waste are not part of the October 2026 phase 1 reporting requirement. However, the government’s longer-term aim is end-to-end digital tracking from the waste producer through to its final destination, so producers will still need accurate information about the waste they create and who handles it.

Every business will be affected by the new tracking service, no matter what type or amount of commercial waste they produce.

Permitted waste receiving sites in phase 1 must digitally record every load of qualified controlled waste they receive. In England and Wales, the record must normally be submitted within two working days, starting the day after the load arrives.

The data includes details about the waste movement, carrier and receiving site, along with information such as waste classification codes, recovery or disposal codes. Hazardous waste information and POPs data are also included where relevant.

Businesses can submit information through approved waste management software connected to the government service by an application programming interface (API). Waste receivers without suitable software can currently use a temporary spreadsheet upload option, which Defra expects to keep available until at least October 2027.

If you operate a permitted waste receiving site

Your actions are now confirmed:

• Confirm whether the site is in phase 1.
• Register for the Digital Waste Tracking service.
• Decide whether records will be submitted through compatible software/API or the spreadsheet option.
• Check that your waste classification, carrier and receiving data is complete.
• Prepare to submit every qualifying receipt within the required timeframe.
• Continue existing Waste Transfer Notes, consignment notes and returns until told otherwise.

If you’re a waste carrier or broker

Start discussing phase 2 with your software provider and customers. Private beta is planned from autumn 2026, public beta from spring 2027 and mandatory use from October 2027.

If your business only produces waste

There is no direct phase 1 reporting requirement simply because your business produces commercial waste. However, you should already have accurate records of the waste streams you produce, their classification, quantities, collection arrangements and authorised waste contractors.

Government plans for the completed system include end-to-end tracking from producers through carriers and receiving sites. Final phase 2 requirements are still being developed.

Businesses should already know what waste they produce, who collects it and where the available records are held. We can help customers review their waste streams, collection schedules, Waste Transfer Notes and carrier information, so their current waste records are clear as Digital Waste Tracking expands.

If your organisation uses Business Waste for collections, we’ll continue to update customers as the requirements affecting producers, carriers and brokers are confirmed.

Contact us today if you have any questions.