Digital waste tracking service
Our plans to introduce mandatory digital waste tracking, the benefits of this change, the timelines and impacts.
Documents
Details
We plan to introduce mandatory digital waste tracking across the UK, as we committed to in the Resources and Waste Strategy for England.
This paper outlines our visions and mission, as well as the key strategies the service will contribute to. It also looks at the benefits of the change, how the service is being developed, and the expected delivery timelines.
Updates to this page
Published 25 April 2022Last updated
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Removed 'mandatory' from 'digital waste tracking will be introduced/come into force from April 2026.'
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Mandatory digital waste tracking will now come into force from April 2026.
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Updated to reflect that mandatory digital waste tracking will be introduced from April 2025.
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First published.
Update history
2026-04-28 13:25
Updated the page to reflect that: 1. The service is now open for public testing (public beta). 2. Household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) in Northern Ireland will no longer need to record waste in phase 1. 3. Waste exemptions are not included in phase 1. 4. Working groups and technical groups have been replaced by an industry co-design group (mentioned under ‘Next steps’). 5. The timeline for laying secondary legislation that mandates use of the service has changed to summer 2026.
2026-02-25 12:10
Corrected the Digital Waste Tracking helpline phone number.
2026-02-24 14:23
Clarified that the service charge will be required for any legal entity that creates or edits records in the service.
2026-02-23 10:00
Added information on the alternative data collection solution for waste receivers not currently operating with software.Also updated the information in the following sections: Household waste recycling centres, Service charge fee, Green list waste exports and imports, Timelines, Get help with digital waste tracking.The Welsh language version will be updated soon.
2026-02-10 09:52
Updated the contact details for getting help with digital waste tracking.
2025-11-05 12:42
Added a section – apply to test the service in private beta.
2025-07-10 10:00
Update to the digital waste tracking implementation policy. This includes 1) the service that will be introduced 2) who will need to comply with mandatory digital waste tracking requirements and when.
2025-02-21 11:58
Removed ‘mandatory’ from ‘digital waste tracking will be introduced/come into force from April 2026.’
2025-02-06 15:45
Mandatory digital waste tracking will now come into force from April 2026.
2023-10-21 00:15
Updated to reflect that mandatory digital waste tracking will be introduced from April 2025.
2022-04-25 09:30
First published.