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An update on Digital Waste Tracking across all four administrations.
Digital Waste Tracking is Here – What it Means For Your Organisation
This article applies to all four administrations
The Report Receipt of Waste service is now live in public beta.
From 28 April 2026, permitted waste receiving sites across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can begin using the service voluntarily, giving you time to prepare well ahead of mandatory use.
Why This Matters
Digital Waste Tracking is a new way to record and report waste movements digitally, replacing paper‑based waste consignment and transfer notes over time. It is one of the most significant changes to waste regulation in a generation.
By creating a clear, near real‑time record of where waste goes, the service makes it much harder for waste to be mismanaged or disposed of illegally. With waste crime costing the UK economy an estimated £1 billion a year, Digital Waste Tracking is a direct response to a long‑standing challenge.
What You Need to Know
Mandatory use of the service begins in:
- October 2026 for organisations in England, Northern Ireland and Wales
- January 2027 for organisations in Scotland
The public beta is your opportunity to get familiar with the service now, work through any practical questions, and make sure your organisation is ready.
If you are a permitted waste receiving site, you can register today to begin submitting data.
If you use third‑party software to manage your waste records, now is the time to contact your software provider to understand when they plan to integrate with the Digital Waste Tracking service.
If you are not yet ready to use software, a temporary alternative submission method is available so you can still get started.
Your regulators - the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, SEPA (Scotland) and NIEA (Northern Ireland) - can also support you with questions about your specific obligations.
Contact Your Regulators
- England (EA): Digital Waste Tracking Helpline: 03000 203 781- Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Closed on bank holidays
- Northern Ireland (NIEA): nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk
- Scotland (SEPA): wastetracking@sepa.org.uk
- Wales (NRW): enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
A note for waste carriers, brokers and dealers
Phase 1 of Digital Waste Tracking focuses on waste receiving sites. Waste carriers, brokers and dealers will have obligations under Phase 2.
Now is a good time to start familiarising yourself with the service and preparing for future requirements. Sign up to the Circular Economy newsletter to stay up to date as Phase 2 details are confirmed.
A note for local authorities
Digital Waste Tracking applies to permitted waste receiving sites, including facilities managed by or on behalf of local authorities.
For Household Waste Recycling Centre sites specifically, from October 2026 mandatory digital reporting of waste receipts will apply to trade waste in England. For all other LA run facilities, e.g. transfer stations, landfills, composting sites records of all inputs of waste are needed except those based in Scotland.
A dedicated registration route for local authorities is in development, and updates will be shared through this newsletter and appropriate government engagement channels.
Join us at our webinars
We are running a series of webinars in May for permitted waste receivers, software vendors and local authorities. These sessions will walk through the service, answer questions, and help you feel confident ahead of October.
♻️ Digital Waste Tracking: Report Receipt of Waste Public Beta Webinar
📅 Date: Tuesday 12 May 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00–10:45
👥 Audience: Waste sector professionals
✅ Register via Microsoft Teams
♻️ LA-Specific Webinar: Report Receipt of Waste
📅 Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00–10:45
👥 Audience: Local Authority stakeholder
✅ Register via Microsoft Teams
♻️ Software Providers: Path to Production Approval Testing (PAT)
📅 Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00–10:45
👥 Audience: Software Providers
✅ Register via Microsoft Teams
Get started today
The public beta is open. Visit GOV.UK for guidance on registering for the service, submitting data, and understanding your obligations.
If you have questions about integration or technical requirements, contact us
via email.
