Digital Waste Tracking to Launch Nationwide in October 2026, Confirms Defra
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has formally announced that the UK’s long-anticipated Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) system will become mandatory from October 2026. The announcement, released today (10 July 2025), sets a definitive path for rolling out the digital platform aimed at modernising how waste is tracked across the country.
Who’s First in Line?
The first organisations to come under the new regulations will be those operating licensed and permitted waste sites. From October 2026, these sites will be legally required to record all waste movements through the new digital system.
But before the full switch flips, the rollout will begin with a private beta programme in autumn 2025, involving selected operators to test-drive the platform. This will be followed by a public beta in spring 2026, giving all relevant sites a chance to familiarise themselves before the law kicks in.
Looking further ahead, April 2027 will see the scope widen to include a broader spectrum of the industry, such as waste carriers, brokers, dealers, and those operating under waste exemption rules. More detailed guidance on which businesses and sectors fall into this second phase is expected by September 2025.
What’s Covered – and What’s Not
Not everything is changing. Household waste collections and trips to local recycling centres will remain outside the remit of the new system. Defra is keeping the focus firmly on regulated commercial waste operations, ensuring traceability for materials entering permitted facilities.
Operators falling within the scope will need to log a specific set of data points for each waste movement, including:
- The correct European Waste Catalogue (EWC) and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes
- A unique reference number for each waste transfer
- Identifiable details about both the sender and the receiver
- Information about how the waste is treated and where it ends up
Making the Digital Leap
The platform is designed with flexibility in mind. Operators will be able to submit data via APIs, allowing for seamless integration with existing business software. However, manual entry and CSV uploads will also be supported – vital for smaller businesses or those not yet fully digital.
Recognising that not all operators are in a position to embrace tech solutions right away, Defra has committed to providing alternative submission methods for those who face digital exclusion. Legal provisions for these alternative routes will be in place well before the 2026 deadline.
What Will It Cost?
While Defra has confirmed that the service will be funded through user fees, the exact pricing structure has yet to be nailed down. Officials say the goal is to keep costs fair and proportionate, especially for those participating early in the rollout.
A detailed cost recovery plan is due to be released prior to the system becoming mandatory in 2026.