Digital waste tracking
Digital waste tracking is a UK-wide initiative to modernise and simplify how waste movements are recorded, from the point waste is produced, to its final destination.
Digital waste tracking will eventually replace existing non-digital, systems used to record waste movements. This will help reduce waste crime, support compliant businesses and improve environmental protection.
Digital Waste Tracking does not replace existing waste duty of care requirements. Businesses must continue to comply with their duty of care obligations, including taking all reasonable measures to ensure that waste is managed correctly and completing any required records.
How Is it being introduced?
Digital waste tracking is being introduced in two phases across the whole of the UK.
Phase 1 – for waste receivers
This includes:
waste transfer stations
scrap yards
landfills
energy from waste facilities
composting sites
Phase 2 – for waste transporters
This includes:
collectors
carriers
brokers
dealers
Implementation dates In Northern Ireland and Scotland:
Phase 1 public beta started in April 2026 and becomes mandatory in January 2027
Phase 2 public beta is expected in April 2027 becoming mandatory in October 2027
What you must do
If phase 1 applies to you, you will need to:
Register for the service - report receipt of waste
Pay the annual service charge fee - currently £26
Report your receipt of waste
If you use your own waste software system - you can use an application programming interface (API) to automatically upload information from your system directly into the DWT system.
If you do not use your own waste software system - you can use the report receipt of waste spreadsheet – report receipt of waste spreadsheet
Note: this is a temporary solution to help sites comply with regulations whilst they acquire software to track waste digitally. This reporting method will be kept under review and maybe phased out in the future.
Submit the relevant data - SEPA has produced guidance on the specified information you need to submit - Submitting your data
Correct any errors – within one month of noticing the error.
Continue to meet other waste requirements - for example waste duty of care
Further information
DEFRA – digital waste tracking
DAERA – digital waste tracking in Northern Ireland
SEPA: digital waste tracking in Scotland