Clare Preston, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, explains why the success of Digital Waste Tracking will rely on more than just technology.
Through my involvement in the Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) project, I’ve become increasingly aware that the success of the programme will depend on far more than technology.
As operators prepare for a more transparent and connected system, the industry’s ability to produce accurate, reliable data will become just as important as the digital platforms that support it.
How will Digital Waste Tracking succeed?
DWT represents one of the most significant legislative changes to affect the waste industry in many years.
While much of the discussion has understandably focused on technology, integration and regulatory compliance, the greatest challenge may be changing behaviours that have often been embedded within operations for decades.
Sites, managers and administrative teams are being asked not only to record information differently, but to adopt a consistent approach to how data is captured, managed and shared across an entire business.
As organisations begin integrating systems through APIs and automated data flows, consistency becomes critical. The quality of information moving between systems will only ever be as good as the processes and behaviours behind it.
The challenge isn’t simply getting systems to talk to each other; it’s getting people across an organisation to speak the same data language.
In my view, data accuracy and robust stock management will be critical to the long-term success of DWT. Technology can only ever be as good as the information entered into it.
If stock records are inaccurate, waste movements are not recorded correctly, or sites rely on local workarounds rather than standardised processes, digital tracking simply makes poor-quality data more visible.
For many operators, this represents a significant cultural shift. Accuracy can no longer sit solely with compliance teams or administrators. Site managers, operational teams and office-based staff all have a role to play in ensuring that data is captured correctly, consistently and at the right time.
Accountability for data quality needs to become embedded into everyday operations in much the same way that health and safety has become an integral part of daily decision-making across the industry.
Creating this culture is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the sector, but it is also where the greatest opportunity exists. It requires investment in training, clear ownership of data and a shared understanding of why accuracy matters.
Changing behaviours that have existed for years is never easy, particularly in an industry that has traditionally relied on a combination of operational knowledge, local processes and individual experience.
However, once organisations successfully align their people, processes and systems around a common approach to data management, the benefits extend far beyond regulatory compliance.
Better stock management, improved visibility of material flows, stronger forecasting, greater operational efficiency and more informed decision-making all become possible. Accurate and trusted data becomes a business asset rather than simply an administrative requirement.
The organisations that embrace this change early will be at a distinct advantage as DWT expands across the sector.
Those that establish strong data governance, consistent operating practices and a culture of ownership today will be far better placed to adapt to future regulatory requirements and take advantage of the opportunities that greater transparency can bring.
Ultimately, DWT is not a technology challenge, it is a behavioural one. The organisations that build a culture of accuracy, accountability and data ownership today will be the ones best positioned to succeed tomorrow.
