DEFRA Digital Waste Tracking Compliant software for October 2026 reporting requirements. Read more
Compliance & Regulation

Defra Digital Waste Tracking

From October 2026, all permitted waste receiving sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must record every load digitally. InfoTech Solutions is ready — here is everything you need to know and provide to get onboarded.

About the Service

What Is Defra Digital Waste Tracking?

The Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) Service is a UK-wide platform developed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), in partnership with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and DAERA in Northern Ireland. It replaces paper waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes with a single digital record of every waste movement, reducing waste crime — estimated to cost the UK economy around £1 billion per year — and supporting the transition to a circular economy.

Phase 1 focuses on waste receiving sites. From October 2026, every site in England, Wales and Northern Ireland holding a permit or licence to receive waste will be legally required to record every load on the DWT service. Scotland follows in January 2027. Phase 2, covering carriers, brokers, dealers and exporters, is scheduled for October 2027.

InfoTech's Waste Management Software submits directly via Defra's Receipt of Waste API. The information below sets out exactly what we need from you to get your site configured and compliant before the deadline.

Key Dates

Mandatory Go-Live Timeline

Autumn 2025
Private beta — selected operators and software providers testing the Defra Receipt of Waste API.
28 April 2026
Public beta opens — all permitted and licensed receiving sites can register and submit data voluntarily.
October 2026
Mandatory go-live for permitted waste receivers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
January 2027
Mandatory go-live for Scotland.
October 2027
Phase 2 — mandate extends to carriers, brokers, dealers and exporters.
What We Need From You

Core Site Requirements

The following details are required for every site that will be receiving waste. Please gather these before contacting InfoTech Solutions so we can configure your site without delay.

Defra API Code
An API code obtained via your Defra website registration. A separate code is required for each site receiving waste.
EWC Codes
A valid set of European Waste Catalogue (EWC) codes configured against each waste type handled on site.
Hauliers
Each haulier must be set up with a valid waste carrier registration number.
e.g. CBDU999
Waste Authorisation Number
Your site's waste authorisation reference number.
e.g. PPC/A/9999999
Site Address
The full physical address of the site receiving waste.
Disposal or Recovery Code
The recovery (R) or disposal (D) code applicable to your site's operation.
e.g. R1
Physical Form & Containers

Physical Form & Container Types

Physical form defaults to Solid. If any waste type needs to be recorded differently — Liquid, Sludge or Gas — the waste type record must be updated with the correct form before submission.

Container type defaults to Loose (highlighted below). If a different container is required for any waste type, it must be configured from the options below before go-live.

Bag
Bale
Box
Can
Carrier
Cask
Container
Drum
Fibre drum
IBC
Loose ✓
Pallet
Roll on roll off
Skip
Tanker
Wheelie bin
Additional Requirements

Hazardous Waste & POPs

These items are only required where applicable to your operation.

HAZ Codes
If your site receives hazardous waste, a valid Hazard Property (HP) code must be supplied for each hazardous waste type.
e.g. HP_1, HP_3, HP_6
POPs Flag
Where waste contains Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), each relevant waste type must be marked accordingly so movements are reported correctly to Defra.
Full Checklist

Information Checklist

A summary of everything InfoTech Solutions requires from you. Download the PDF below to complete and return the signed checklist.

Item Notes
Defra API code(s) — one per receiving site Required for every site.
EWC codes mapped to each waste type Must be valid current codes.
Haulier carrier registration numbers Format example: CBDU999
Waste authorisation number Format example: PPC/A/9999999
Site address(es) Full physical address per site.
Site disposal or recovery code For example: R1
Non-default physical forms (if any) Default is Solid — only needed if different.
Non-default container types (if any) Default is Loose — only needed if different.
HAZ codes (if handling hazardous waste) e.g. HP_1, HP_3, HP_6
Waste types containing POPs (if any) Flag required on each relevant waste type.
Note: Where defaults are stated, no action is required unless your operation differs. If it does, the relevant waste type must be configured before go-live.

Ready to Get Started?

Download the full InfoTech Solutions requirements document, gather your site information, and contact your account manager to begin the onboarding process ahead of the October 2026 deadline.