Digital Waste Tracking Glossary: Every Term Explained
This digital waste tracking glossary explains every term you'll come across, from API codes and EWC codes to POPs, consignment codes and receiving sites, in plain English.
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026
Digital Waste Tracking Glossary A-Z
API (Application Programming Interface): a way for software to talk to other software. Defra's Receipt of Waste API lets your software submit records automatically.
API code: a code generated in your Defra account and given to your software provider so they can submit records for your organisation. One code can be used for all your sites.
Carrier: a business that transports waste. Must be registered as a waste carrier.
Broker: a business that arranges waste movements for others without necessarily handling the waste.
Controlled waste: household, industrial and commercial waste covered by waste regulations.
Dealer: a business that buys and sells waste.
Duty of care: the legal responsibility of anyone handling waste to keep it under control and pass it only to authorised people.
EWC code: a 6-digit code from the List of Wastes (European Waste Catalogue) describing a type of waste.
Mirror entry: a pair of EWC codes, one hazardous and one not, for similar waste. An assessment decides which applies.
Phase 1: licensed and permitted receiving sites, mandatory from October 2026 (England and Wales) and January 2027 (Scotland and Northern Ireland).
Phase 2: waste carriers, brokers and dealers, planned from October 2027.
POPs: persistent organic pollutants, chemicals that must be destroyed rather than recycled.
Receipt of waste: a single load of waste received at a site.
Waste transfer note (WTN): a document recording a transfer of non-hazardous waste.
Regulators and Services
Defra: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Runs the digital waste tracking service.
Environment Agency (EA): environmental regulator for England.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW): environmental regulator for Wales.
SEPA: Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
NIEA / DAERA: Northern Ireland Environment Agency, part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Report receipt of waste: the official name of the digital waste tracking service for receiving sites.
Government Gateway / GOV.UK One Login: sign-in services used to access your Defra account.
Digital waste tracking helpline: Defra's support line for the service.
Codes and Classifications
List of Wastes (LoW): the official list of EWC codes.
**Hazardous waste (*):** waste with one or more hazardous properties, marked with an asterisk in the List of Wastes.
HP codes: hazardous property codes HP1 to HP15.
R codes: recovery operations, R1 to R13.
D codes: disposal operations, D1 to D15.
Consignment note code: the unique code on a hazardous waste consignment note.
SIC code: Standard Industrial Classification code describing the producer's business, required on waste transfer notes.
Waste tracking ID: the reference Defra returns for each submitted record.
Roles in the Waste Chain
Producer: the business or person whose activities produce the waste.
Holder: whoever has control of the waste at a given time.
Carrier: transports waste for others or as part of their business.
Broker: arranges waste management on behalf of others.
Dealer: buys and sells waste.
Receiver / consignee: the site that receives the waste.
Permitted site: a site operating under an environmental permit or waste management licence.
Exempt site: a site operating under a registered waste exemption.
HWRC: household waste recycling centre.
MRF: materials recovery facility.
ATF: Authorised Treatment Facility for end-of-life vehicles.
AATF: Approved Authorised Treatment Facility for WEEE.
Related
Official guidance
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