Rules
Digital waste tracking: carriers join in October 2027
Digital waste tracking became mandatory for permitted waste receiving sites in England and Wales on 1 October 2026, and the government plans to make it mandatory for waste carriers, brokers and dealers from October 2027 (Defra policy paper, updated 1 October 2026). Carriers are already part of it, because every receiving site now reports your carrier registration number and vehicle registration for each load.
What is digital waste tracking?
Digital waste tracking is a GOV.UK service that records each movement of waste. It is built to connect to waste software through an API, so loads can be reported automatically.
Defra says the aim is to let regulators check at the roadside whether a load is going to a legitimate site, and to give them better information about the carriers who deliver waste. It estimates the UK has about 300,000 registered waste carriers, brokers and dealers.
The service is being built in phases. Phase 1, now live, covers sites that receive waste. Phase 2 covers carriers, brokers and dealers.
When does digital waste tracking start for carriers?
Defra's planned timeline (policy paper, updated 1 October 2026):
1 October 2026: mandatory for permitted and licensed receiving sites in England and Wales.
January 2027: mandatory for receiving sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
From autumn 2026: an invited group of waste collectors tests the carrier service (private beta).
From spring 2027: open to all waste collectors (public beta).
From October 2027: mandatory for waste collectors.
Waste exemptions will come in a later phase. These are planned dates, so check the policy paper before you commit to software.
What do receiving sites report about my loads?
Since 1 October 2026, a permitted site must report every load of controlled waste it receives within 2 working days, starting the day after the waste arrives. GOV.UK's example: waste received at 9am on Monday must be reported by 11:59pm on Wednesday.
Under Schedule 1 of the Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026, the report includes the name of whoever transported the waste, their address, phone and email if available, their carrier registration number (or the reason there is none), and the registration of every vehicle used. It also records the waste description, waste codes, weight, POPs and hazardous waste details.
letsrecycle reports an annual charge of £26 per legal entity for receiving sites, with the first payment due by 31 January 2027.
Do waste transfer notes still apply?
Yes. GOV.UK says the paper system continues alongside the digital service for now, so you must still complete waste transfer notes and, where needed, hazardous waste consignment notes.
The waste duty of care code of practice says to keep waste transfer notes for non-hazardous waste for 2 years, and hazardous waste consignment notes for three years.
How should waste carriers prepare for digital waste tracking?
Match your details to the register. Use the business name and carrier registration number exactly as they appear on the public register, on every transfer note and at every weighbridge.
Keep a vehicle list. Receiving sites record each vehicle registration, so keep your fleet details current with the sites you tip at.
Describe and code loads properly. Use the right List of Waste code; for example, GOV.UK requires 20 03 07 and the description 'domestic seating waste containing POPs' for sofas and armchairs.
Choose software early. The service is designed around an API, and the spreadsheet route offered to receiving sites is temporary, expected to stay until at least October 2027.
Read the digital exclusion rules. Preferring paper, being unfamiliar with software or the extra cost does not count as digital exclusion.
Does digital waste tracking apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. All four UK governments plan mandatory digital waste tracking. Receiving sites in England and Wales have been covered since 1 October 2026, under separate England and Wales regulations, and receiving sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland follow in January 2027.
Household waste recycling centres do not have to use the receiving site service for household waste from residents in England, and HWRCs in Wales are left out entirely.
Common questions
Do skip hire firms have to use digital waste tracking now?
Only for a yard with a permit to receive waste, such as a transfer station, which has had to report every load since 1 October 2026. Reporting for carrying waste is planned to become mandatory from October 2027.
How quickly must a receiving site report a load?
Within 2 working days, starting the day after the waste arrives, excluding weekends and bank holidays. Errors flagged by the service must be corrected within the same window.
Will digital waste tracking replace waste transfer notes?
Not yet. GOV.UK says waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes continue alongside the digital service until further notice.
How much does digital waste tracking cost?
letsrecycle reports £26 a year per legal entity for receiving sites, first due by 31 January 2027. No charge for carriers had been published when we checked in October 2026.