The way waste movements are recorded and reported in the UK is changing. The government is replacing paper-based waste transfer notes and consignment notes with a mandatory digital tracking system — a significant shift for everyone in the waste supply chain.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is the UK Digital Waste Tracking System?

The UK Digital Waste Tracking System is a government-run platform that will require all permitted waste sites to record and report waste movements digitally. Every transfer of waste — from collection through to disposal — will need to be logged in the system in real time, creating a complete, auditable digital trail.

The system is being developed and managed by the Environment Agency in England, working alongside the equivalent bodies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The aim is to improve compliance, reduce illegal waste disposal, and give regulators far greater visibility of waste movements across the country.

Who Does it Affect?

The system will apply to a wide range of organisations across the waste supply chain, including:

  • Waste receiving sites — landfills, transfer stations, recycling facilities and land regeneration sites
  • Waste carriers — hauliers and logistics operators moving waste
  • Waste producers — businesses and organisations that generate controlled waste
  • Waste brokers and dealers — those who arrange the movement or recovery of waste on behalf of others

In short, if your organisation handles, moves or receives controlled waste, the digital tracking requirement will apply to you.

What Does it Replace?

Currently, waste movements are documented through paper Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs) for non-hazardous waste and paper Consignment Notes for hazardous waste. These documents are completed manually, often at the point of collection or delivery, and retained by each party for a minimum of two years.

The digital system replaces this paper-based process with real-time digital records, removing the reliance on handwritten notes, manual filing and retrospective data entry.

Key Dates

  • 28 April 2026 — Public beta opens. Permitted waste receiving sites are encouraged to register and begin uploading data to test the system and its APIs.
  • October 2026 — Mandatory for all waste receivers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
  • January 2027 — Mandatory in Scotland.

These deadlines are firm. Operators who are not ready by the relevant date risk non-compliance with their environmental permit conditions.

What Does Compliance Look Like in Practice?

Once the system is mandatory, waste receiving sites will need to:

  • Record every incoming waste load digitally at the point of receipt
  • Capture key data including EWC code, quantity, carrier details, and origin
  • Submit records to the government platform — either directly or through integrated waste management software
  • Retain digital records in line with regulatory requirements

The government has published an API to allow waste management software providers to integrate directly with the system, meaning that for operators already using compliant software, the process can be largely automated.

What it Means for Waste Operators

For sites that are still relying on spreadsheets, paper records or disconnected systems, the transition will require investment in either software or process change — and time to implement and test before the deadline.

For sites already using a digital waste management platform, the key question is whether that platform is actively integrating with the government’s API and whether it will be ready in time.

How Sentinel is Prepared

Regentrax has been actively involved in the public beta programme, participating in the government’s online working groups and testing Sentinel’s integration with the digital waste tracking APIs. Our testing has been successful and we are on track to be fully compliant ahead of the October 2026 deadline.

For Sentinel customers, the transition to mandatory digital reporting will be handled within the platform — no separate system or manual submission process will be required.

If you have questions about how the UK Digital Waste Tracking System will affect your site, or would like to see how Sentinel handles compliance, get in touch.