Are you ready for digital waste tracking?
From October 2026, every waste movement in England starts being recorded on one government service. Answer five quick questions and get a personalised checklist, your real deadline, and the gaps to close, all on this page.
What is changing, in plain English
DEFRA is bringing in digital waste tracking. Instead of paper notes that sit in a drawer, every waste movement gets logged on one government service, so a load can be followed from the business that made it all the way to where it ends up. It arrives in two waves.
Sites that take waste in, the permitted and licensed ones, must record what they receive online. England, Wales and Northern Ireland first, Scotland from January 2027.
Waste carriers, brokers, dealers and exporters follow. Early access opens from late 2026, so you can get used to it before it is required.
One thing people keep getting wrong: this does not scrap your consignment notes or transfer notes. You still complete and keep those. Digital tracking sits on top of them. For the full picture, read what digital waste tracking means for you.