The Introduction of Digital Waste Tracking

Digital waste tracking is being introduced across the UK as part of a coordinated effort to improve compliance, reduce waste crime and strengthen how waste movements are monitored. The changes taking effect through 2026 represent a significant shift in how waste data is recorded and shared between businesses and regulators. 

Waste crime and poorly performing waste sites continue to cause widespread harm. They damage the environment, affect local communities, undermine legitimate operators and are estimated to cost the UK economy around £1 billion each year. These issues also cut directly across the UK’s ambitions for a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for longer and waste is treated as a resource rather than a problem. 

Digital waste tracking has been designed to address these challenges by closing long-standing gaps in information and oversight. 

Why the system is being introduced 

Waste movements have historically been recorded using a mix of paper transfer notes, spreadsheets and disconnected digital systems. This has made it difficult to build a clear picture of where waste comes from, how it moves through the system and where it ends up. 

Inconsistent records and fragmented data have also made enforcement harder, allowing illegal operators to exploit weaknesses in the system. 

The digital waste tracking service is intended to bring consistency to how waste movements are recorded. By creating standardised digital records, regulators can more easily verify compliance and identify irregular activity. For legitimate businesses, this creates greater clarity around responsibilities and reduces the risk of being associated with non-compliant waste activity further down the chain. 

The approach has been developed jointly by the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and DAERA in Northern Ireland, recognising the need for a coordinated response across all UK nations. 

Who is affected by the first phase 

The waste sector includes a large and varied group of operators, including: 

• Around 12,000 waste site operators 

• Approximately 150,000 registered waste exemption holders 

• Around 300,000 registered waste carriers, brokers and dealers 

  
  

Because of this scale, the government has chosen to introduce digital waste tracking in phases. 

The first group required to use the service will be waste receiving sites. These are sites that hold an environmental permit or licence to receive waste. From October 2026, these operators must record details of all waste they receive using the digital waste tracking service. This requirement includes waste containing persistent organic pollutants. 

Household Waste Recycling Centres are not required to record household waste within the system at this stage. Discussions are continuing with local authorities around the potential recording of commercial waste accepted at these sites. 

The government has also been reviewing whether specific sectors operating under exemptions should be included alongside permitted and licensed sites. Any decisions on this will be confirmed separately. 

How data will be submitted 

User testing carried out during the development of the service highlighted a key issue. Manually entering waste movement records into a central government portal was widely seen as time-consuming and impractical, particularly given the level of detail required. 

As a result, the service is being delivered with a strong emphasis on integration with existing waste software. 

The primary method for submitting data will be through application programming interfaces, allowing information to be captured automatically from systems already used by waste operators. This reflects how much of the sector currently operates and avoids unnecessary duplication of effort. 

Alternative submission routes will be available for those who meet the legal definition of being digitally excluded. For permitted and licensed receiving sites, the number of operators expected to fall into this category is very small. 

What this means for compliance and enforcement 

Digital waste tracking strengthens oversight across the waste chain by connecting data that has previously been held in separate systems. 

For regulators, this provides quicker access to accurate information. At roadside checks, officers will be able to verify whether waste has been delivered to a legitimate receiving site. They will also be able to see which carriers were involved in specific waste movements and identify patterns that may indicate non-compliance. 

For receiving sites, the data allows regulators to identify whether volumes or waste types being accepted align with permit conditions. It also supports more targeted audits and earlier intervention where issues are identified. 

For compliant operators, this creates a more level playing field. As visibility improves, it becomes harder for rogue operators to undercut the market by avoiding proper disposal routes or compliance costs. 

Current position and upcoming milestones 

The digital waste tracking service is available to permitted and licensed receiving sites during 2026 ahead of the mandatory requirement later in the year. 

Key dates to be aware of include: 

• Ongoing access to the service for permitted and licensed receiving sites during 2026 

• Secondary legislation already in place across all UK nations 

• Mandatory use of the service for receiving sites from October 2026 

• Planned expansion of the service to additional operators from April 2027, with further details to be confirmed 

  
  

What businesses should be doing now 

Businesses that operate waste receiving sites should already be reviewing how prepared they are for mandatory digital tracking. This includes understanding how waste data is currently captured, whether existing systems are compatible with the new service and whether software providers are ready to support integration. 

Waste producers also need to be aware of the changes. As digital tracking becomes embedded, inconsistencies in the waste chain will be easier to identify, increasing the importance of working with compliant, transparent partners. 

We’re supporting clients through this transition by reviewing waste processes, advising on compliance obligations and helping businesses prepare for a more structured, data-led approach to waste management. 

If you would like support understanding how digital waste tracking affects your operation, or want help preparing ahead of the changes, Wastesolve can help.