Digital Waste Tracking Guides
Our digital waste tracking guides explain the rules in plain English, without the jargon. Start with the basics, then dig into deadlines, EWC codes, waste transfer notes and how to choose the right software for your business.
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026
Digital Waste Tracking Guides: Start Here
New to digital waste tracking? Start with these three guides:
- What is digital waste tracking? A plain-English introduction.
- Mandatory digital waste tracking: dates and phases. Who's in scope and when.
- Digital waste tracking requirements. What you need to record for every load.
Or read our complete guide to digital waste tracking.
The Rules and Deadlines
- Digital waste tracking legislation
- The 2 working day reporting deadline
- How to register for digital waste tracking
- How the digital waste tracking service works
- Spreadsheet vs API
- Digital waste tracking cost
- What to do during an outage
- Waste exemptions and digital waste tracking
- Waste crime and the Waste Crime Action Plan
Latest Updates
Digital waste tracking is still developing, and Phase 2 details are being worked out. We review our guides regularly and show a "last reviewed" date on each one. For official updates, sign up to Defra's circular economy newsletter on GOV.UK.
Want to check where you stand? Try our free digital waste tracking checklist.
Explore
GuidesWhat Is Digital Waste TrackingWhat is digital waste tracking? A plain-English guide to Defra's new service, why it exists, who it affects and what it means for your business.Read more →GuidesMandatory Digital Waste TrackingMandatory digital waste tracking dates for every UK nation: Phase 1 receiving sites from October 2026, Phase 2 carriers and brokers from October 2027.Read more →GuidesDigital Waste Tracking LegislationDigital waste tracking legislation explained: the 2026 regulations in each UK nation, what they require, who enforces them and what's still to come.Read more →GuidesDigital Waste Tracking RequirementsDigital waste tracking requirements explained: the fields Defra needs for every load, including EWC codes, weights, R and D codes, hazardous details and POPs.Read more →GuidesReport Receipt Of WasteHow the digital waste tracking service works: setting up your Defra account, getting an API code and reporting receipt of waste by API or spreadsheet.Read more →GuidesDigital Waste Tracking API Vs SpreadsheetDigital waste tracking spreadsheet or API? Compare both routes, why the spreadsheet is temporary until around October 2027 and how to switch to API easily.Read more →GuidesTwo Working Day DeadlineThe report receipt of waste deadline is 2 working days from the day after a load arrives. Examples, bank holidays, outages and how not to miss it.Read more →GuidesEWC CodesEWC codes explained: how the 6-digit List of Wastes works, hazardous (*) codes, common codes by sector and using them in digital waste tracking.Read more →GuidesDisposal And Recovery CodesDisposal and recovery codes explained: what R and D codes mean, common examples and why digital waste tracking needs at least one for every EWC code.Read more →GuidesPops WastePOPs waste explained: persistent organic pollutants, upholstered seating, WEEE plastics, disposal rules and recording POPs in digital waste tracking.Read more →GuidesWaste Transfer NoteWaste transfer note guide: what a WTN must include, who signs it, how long to keep it, season tickets and how digital WTNs work with digital waste tracking.Read more →GuidesHazardous Waste Consignment NoteHazardous waste consignment note guide: Parts A to E, consignment codes, returns, how long to keep them and how they link to digital waste tracking.Read more →GuidesWaste Carriers LicenceWaste carriers licence explained: upper and lower tier, who needs one, upcoming registration reforms and what digital waste tracking means for carriers in 2027.Read more →GuidesWaste Duty Of CareDuty of care waste rules explained: what producers, carriers and receivers must do, the paperwork involved and how digital waste tracking supports it.Read more →GuidesWaste Exemptions And Digital Waste TrackingWaste exemptions and digital waste tracking: exempt sites aren't in Phase 1, but a later phase will bring them in. Here's what exemption holders should know.Read more →GuidesWaste Crime Action PlanWaste crime costs the UK around £1 billion a year. See how Defra's Waste Crime Action Plan and digital waste tracking aim to close the loopholes.Read more →GuidesChoosing Digital Waste Tracking SoftwareHow to choose the best digital waste tracking software: Defra API support, bespoke vs off-the-shelf, driver apps, costs and questions to ask providers.Read more →GuidesDigital Waste Tracking OutagesDigital waste tracking outage rules: keep a written record within 2 working days and submit within 7 working days of the fix. Here's how to stay compliant.Read more →GuidesDigital Waste Tracking GlossaryDigital waste tracking glossary: plain-English definitions of API code, EWC, R and D codes, POPs, consignment codes, receiving site, carrier, broker and more.Read more →GuidesDigital Waste Tracking CostDigital waste tracking cost explained: the £26 annual Defra fee per organisation, first due 31 January 2027, plus what software typically costs.Read more →GuidesHow To Register For Digital Waste TrackingHow to register for digital waste tracking: create your Defra account, sign in with Government Gateway or One Login, pay the fee and get your API code.Read more →GuidesBest Waste Management AppThe best waste management app depends on what you do. Compare mobile apps for carriers, receiving sites and multi-site operators and what to look for.Read more →GuidesWaste Pre AcceptancePre acceptance waste checks explained: what permitted sites must verify before taking waste, acceptance and rejection, and linking it to digital tracking.Read more →GuidesWaste Duty Of Care AuditDuty of care audit checklist for waste: how to check carriers, receiving sites and paperwork, and how digital waste tracking makes audits faster.Read more →
Official guidance
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