Reporting through Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) will now become mandatory for all required operators in October 2027.
DWT is intended to supersede the existing predominantly paper-based reporting requirements under Duty of Care.
The scheme is a UK-wide initiative, and whilst waste policy is a devolved matter, the UK Government and devolved administrations have agreed to work together to introduce a single UK-wide waste tracking service.
Phase one of the service is currently underway and applies to all waste received at permitted facilities carrying out a waste activity. The new system will be available to all operators on a voluntary basis from April 2026.
Phase Two will commence this year and focuses on the extension of the service to those arranging waste movements and transporting waste. This will largely involve waste carriers, brokers and dealers as well as waste exporters, laying the foundation for full-chain tracking.
DWT represents the single most significant and comprehensive digital transformation the entire waste management ecosystem has ever faced…
The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) has now confirmed the mandatory rollout of the service will now happen in October 2027, instead of April 2027.
The new system will require detailed data to be submitted for each waste transfer, including classification codes, movement references, and treatment outcomes.
Commenting on the announcement, David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect, said: “We expect the industry will welcome this additional delay. DWT represents the single most significant and comprehensive digital transformation the entire waste management ecosystem has ever faced, so it is imperative that the rollout is done properly.”
“Phase One of the legislation will affect 12,000 waste site operators with testing well underway. Phase Two will impact the 300,000 registered waste carriers, brokers and dealers operating across the four UK nations.”
“The vast majority of these businesses are SMEs, so a further delay will give them additional time to prepare the essential work required for a fully digitally complaint system.”