Digital Waste Tracking
The aim of digital waste tracking is to join up current fragmented systems and replace paper-based record-keeping, making it much easier and less time consuming for legitimate waste companies to comply with reporting requirements, whilst making it much harder for rogue operators to compete in the industry and commit waste crime including fly tipping and deliberate misclassification.
Type of Change
Introduction of a mandatory database to record waste movements.
Affected Stakeholders
- Waste Management Companies
- Local Authorities
Changes
Digital Waste Tracking will replace the existing, non-digital, systems used to report waste data.
Status
The Digital Waste Tracking System is still under development with the plan now being a phased implementation.
Phase 1 public beta, for waste receivers only, was implemented in April 2026 and, in Northern Ireland, will become mandatory from January 2027.
Phase 2 public beta, for the rest of the waste industry, is expected in Spring 2027 with a mandatory date planned for October 2027.
Expected Timeline
Phase 1 public beta, for waste receivers only, was implemented in April 2026 and will become mandatory in Northern Ireland from January 2027.
Phase 2, for the rest of the waste industry, is expected to be implemented in Spring 2027 with a mandatory date planned for October 2027.
Additional information can be found at the following link. Digital waste tracking service - GOV.UK