Mandatory Digital Waste Tracking Is Coming: Is Your Business Ready?

Mandatory digital waste tracking is a UK Government initiative which has been in the works since the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government.

The legislation will affect waste site operators, registered waste exemption holders and waste carriers, brokers and dealers.

The Digital Waste Tracking service will replace existing fragmented systems and paper-based record-keeping such as waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes.

The legislation is part of the UK’s broader environmental strategy and is being developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, including software providers like Access Weighsoft.

The goal is to create a unified, transparent, and digital system for tracking waste from its point of origin to its final destination.

A key feature of the system will be the digital submission of data through an application program interface (API), whether through users’ existing software or 3rd party commercial software.

The rollout is scheduled for October 2026 for receiving site operators, and from April 2027 to other operators. Businesses are encouraged to begin preparing now to ensure a smooth transition and to mitigate compliance risks.

You can read the full government guidance here. 

The UK Government’s digital waste tracking initiative is designed to address several critical challenges in the waste management sector:

• Reducing Illegal Waste Activities

Digital tracking makes it easier to monitor the movement of waste, reducing fly-tipping, mishandling, and illegal disposal.

• Improving Transparency 

A centralised digital tracking system provides more accurate data, ensuring businesses comply with environmental regulations and report waste correctly and on time.

• Supporting Sustainability Efforts

By tracking waste more efficiently, businesses can reduce waste and improve recycling efforts, contributing to the UK’s long-term sustainability goals.

• Increasing Corporate Accountability

The mandatory system ensures businesses are held accountable for the waste they produce, creating a fairer and more responsible waste management process across industries.

The new digital waste tracking system has a wide remit and covers all types of controlled waste and extractive waste, including:

• Commercial waste - everyday waste produced by businesses, such as packaging materials, office waste, mixed recycling, food, glass, and anything else related to commercial waste management.
• Electronic waste (e-waste) - waste such as old, end-of-life and discarded electronic devices, which contribute to environmental pollution if not disposed of properly.
• Hazardous waste - this includes hazardous waste that poses a threat to public health or the environment, such as chemicals, radioactive materials and industrial by-products.
• Construction and demolition waste - materials like ready-mix concrete, bricks, wood, and other building materials.

From a business perspective, making the shift to digital waste tracking starts by understanding crucial regulatory requirements and ensuring that internal processes are aligned with the new system. Failure to comply risks penalties, fines and reputational damage.

Businesses will need digital waste tracking software that records and monitors all waste activities. This guarantees that waste data is recorded accurately, making it far easier to report for regulatory compliance and internal sustainability efforts - detailed reports on waste management activities will need to be submitted to regulatory authorities.

It’s a good idea to prepare for these changes as soon as possible to ensure full compliance by the time adoption becomes mandatory.

Digitising operations isn’t just about ticking a compliance box, it’s about future-proofing your business. Manual tracking methods will soon be obsolete, and waiting until 2026 could leave your business scrambling to catch up.

Early preparation means:

• Smoother transition to digital systems
• Reduced risk of non-compliance
• Competitive advantage in tenders and partnerships
• Better operational efficiency and data accuracy

Access Weighsoft is actively involved in shaping the technology to deliver the legislation’s requirements.

Digital Waste Tracking is firmly on our roadmap. Once the Government releases the API, we plan to:

• Launch an initial release in early 2026
• Begin beta testing with customers
• Deliver a fully integrated solution ahead of the October 2026 deadline

Our development team is geared for a fast turnaround, ensuring our customers are not just compliant, but ahead of the curve.

Access Weighsoft is the market leader in UK waste compliance software. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Government collaboration: Direct involvement in shaping the technology behind the legislation
• Rapid development: Agile roadmap aligned with rollout timelines
• Scalable platform: Built for integration and future expansion
• Trusted by industry: Proven track record in waste management solutions