Digital Waste Tracking for Scrap Metal Collection Made Easy
Digital waste tracking for scrap metal collection doesn't have to mean more paperwork. Mobile scrap metal collectors need a collector's licence, clean records of where metal came from and, from Phase 2, digital tracking of what they carry. We build a bespoke app around how your business works, so every job, weight and signature is captured once, digital waste transfer notes are sent automatically and your Defra records are submitted on time.
How Digital Waste Tracking for Scrap Metal Collection Works
Mobile scrap metal collectors pick up metal from homes, businesses and building sites and take it to yards for sale. It's fast-moving work, often paid by weight, and it has long been a focus of enforcement because of metal theft and illegal waste activity.
Digital waste tracking for scrap metal collection means keeping a clear, digital record of every pickup and every drop-off. Our app records where each collection came from, what was collected, photos and location, and which yard it went to, so you can prove your metal came from legitimate sources and went to legitimate sites.
Collections Logged with Photo and Location
For each collection, the driver records:
The customer and address
What was collected
such as appliances, cable, mixed metals or car parts
Photos
of the metal before loading
GPS location and time
recorded automatically
The customer's signature
where needed
That gives you strong evidence of origin if a load is ever questioned.
Drop-Offs at the Yard Recorded Instantly
When you deliver to a yard, record the yard, the weight ticket and the payment. The app links each drop-off to the collections it came from, so you can see what each round earned and reconcile yard payments against your own records.
Collector's Licence Records Kept Tidy
Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, mobile collectors need a collector's licence from their local council and must keep records of the metal they deal with. The app keeps your licence details and renewal date, reminds you before it expires, and holds collection records in a structured, searchable form, ready if the council or police ask.
When Scrap Metal Collectors Must Comply
Mobile scrap metal collectors are waste carriers, so they're planned to come into scope in Phase 2. The public beta is expected in spring 2027 and the service is planned to become mandatory from October 2027.
The scrap yards you deliver to are permitted receiving sites, so they're already reporting the loads they receive under Phase 1, including your details as carrier.
EWC Codes and Records for Scrap Metal Collectors
Typical codes for collected scrap include:
Appliances such as fridges contain hazardous components and need different handling. Always confirm codes against the official List of Wastes.
A Bespoke App for Scrap Metal Collectors
A scrap metal collector's app can include:
Job booking
from calls, texts and website enquiries
Route planning
for the day's collections
Collection logging
with photos, GPS and signatures
Digital waste transfer notes
for business customers
Yard drop-off and payment records
Licence tracking and reminders
Digital waste tracking
ready for Phase 2
From Paper to Digital Without the Headache
If your records are currently a notebook and a pile of yard tickets, we'll get you set up quickly. The app is designed to be used on a phone in the cab, with big buttons and as few steps as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related
We don't sell boxes of software. We build the app your business actually needs.
Book a free, no-obligation demo and talk it through with someone who understands commercial waste management.
Book a free demo