Digital Waste Tracking Guide
What is digital waste tracking?
Digital Waste Tracking is a new UK Government system that will create a single digital record of waste movements, improving traceability, transparency and accountability across the waste management chain. It has been introduced to help tackle waste crime, strengthen compliance and provide greater visibility of how waste is managed after collection.
By creating a more transparent system, Digital Waste Tracking will help legitimate businesses, such as Hurleys Waste Management, demonstrate compliance while making it more difficult for illegal operators to avoid scrutiny.
When does this come into place?
Digital Waste Tracking is being introduced in 2 phases:
-Phase 1 (October 2026) – Permitted and Licenced waste transfer stations
-Phase 2 (October 2027)– Waste Producers, Carriers, Brokers and Dealers
What is changing?
During Phase 1, permitted and licensed waste receiving sites must digitally record key information about the waste they receive, including:
- Waste movement details
- Carrier and receiver information
- Waste descriptions and EWC codes
- Recovery or disposal codes
- Hazardous waste and persistent organic pollutant (POPs) information, where applicable.
For waste received in England and Wales, information must be submitted within two working days of receipt (excluding weekends and bank holidays). The system will expand over time, with waste collectors, carriers, brokers and dealers expected to be included in a future phase currently planned for October 2027.
Are Skip Hire customers affected?
No. Our skip hire customers are covered under standard Waste Transfer Notes managed by Hurleys.
How can Hurleys help?
We utilise an automated system integration to handle compliance behind the scenes, helping to reduce the burden of manual reporting for our commercial customers.
All about the EA digital waste tracking mandate
The government wants to prevent illegal fly-tipping and increase transparency across supply chains by creating digital records of all waste. The core requirement is the 2-day reporting rule whereby waste movements into or out of a transfer facility must be logged into the government’s digital system within two working days.
Am I affected?
| Customer Type | Do you need to submit digital waste data? | What you need to know |
| Skip Hire Customers | No | All paperwork is managed by Hurleys Skip Hire. |
| Waste Transfer Station | Yes | Commercial clients tipping waste at the transfer station will need to ensure their data gets submitted. |
How does digital waste tracking work at Hurleys?
At Hurleys, our waste management software integrates directly with the central government portal via a secure API. Data from your visit is logged electronically at the weighbridge. The system then automatically submits compliant records.
Digital waste tracking FAQs
Do I need to register for the digital portal if I only hire skips from Hurley’s?
No. Skip hire services are managed directly by Hurley’s, and existing Duty of Care processes fulfil regulatory requirements.
Does my business, as a waste producer, need to do anything?
At present, waste producers are not required to make any changes to their existing processes. The requirements introduced under this legislation so far only apply to organisations that receive, process, transfer or otherwise manage waste, like Hurleys.
What information will Phase 2 (from October 2027) require?
Phase 2 records broadly the same information that paper waste transfer notes record today, plus a few additions confirmed in DEFRA’s Government Response:
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR EACH MOVEMENT
- Waste classification — EWC code, hazardous flags, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) where applicable
- Quantity and packaging — weight or volume, loose or contained, container type for Green List shipments
- The producer — name, address, SIC code (Standard Industrial Classification)
- The carrier — name, address, waste carriers licence number
- The receiving site — site address, environmental permit number
- Collection and delivery times — date and time of each step
- Intended waste hierarchy option — Re-use, Recycle, Other Recovery, or Disposal
- Intended waste management method — landfill, composting, shredding, etc.
- Confirmation by the producer that the recorded details are correct to the best of their knowledge