DEFRA digital waste tracking: what UK waste sites must do

Phase 1 applies to permitted and licensed receiving sites in England and Wales from 1 October 2026, with Scotland and Northern Ireland following in January 2027. Digital waste tracking runs alongside waste transfer notes and consignment notes; it doesn't replace them. You have 2 working days, starting the day after you receive the waste. Household waste recycling centres are excluded.

The main things Defra asks for: the producer and SIC code, carrier and registration number, receiving site permit, EWC code and description, hazard codes, quantity and date, recovery or disposal (R/D) code, and POPs data where relevant.