Digital Waste Tracking software — what changes, and how to be ready
Since 1 October 2026, paper waste records are no longer enough at permitted receiving sites in England and Wales. Every waste receipt needs an EWC code, a weighed tonnage, and a digital submission to DEFRA's Receipt of Waste API — through the Digital Waste Tracking Service (DWTS) — using Defra-confirmed software. Here's what that means for your operation, and what comes next.
The mandatory duty started with waste receivers, not every operator, and carriers, brokers and dealers are the next phase (planned from October 2027) — see our DWTS compliance guide for receivers and operators for the distinction.
Key facts
The mandate
Digital Waste Tracking replaces paper-based waste records with mandatory digital reporting to DEFRA's Receipt of Waste service.
The dates
Mandatory in England and Wales since 1 October 2026, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland from January 2027. Carriers, brokers and dealers are planned from October 2027.
What's required
Every waste receipt needs an EWC code, a weighed tonnage, and a submission to DEFRA's Receipt of Waste API via compatible software.
Defra listing
The GOV.UK list includes "Axithorn | Axiwaste". Defra has confirmed that listed providers meet the digital waste tracking requirements.
What Digital Waste Tracking actually requires
The Digital Waste Tracking mandate is the biggest change to UK waste record-keeping in a generation. In practice, three things become non-negotiable for every load received at a permitted site:
1 · Classified waste
Each waste stream on a receipt must carry the correct EWC (European Waste Catalogue) code. "General waste, probably 20 03 01" scribbled on a paper note won't survive — codes need to be assigned consistently, per line, from a controlled catalogue.
2 · Weighed tonnage
Receipts need a real weight — from a weighbridge ticket, or a defensible estimate where weighing isn't possible. If your weights currently live on paper tickets that get typed up later (or don't), that gap becomes visible.
3 · Digital submission
The record has to reach DEFRA's Receipt of Waste service. Compatible software can send it through the Receipt of Waste API. If you do not have that software, Defra provides its own template spreadsheet — the rules for that route are set out below. A paper filing cabinet does not submit either way.
Defra has confirmed the software providers that meet the digital waste tracking requirements on its official "Report receipt of waste: choose a software provider" page. Axithorn, the company behind AxiWaste, is on that list.
Deadlines, the fee, and who to contact
These points are taken from GOV.UK guidance and the England and Wales regulations. Checked 9 October 2026.
Report within 2 working days
If you receive waste in England or Wales, you must submit the record within 2 working days, excluding weekends and bank holidays, starting on the day after you receive the waste. GOV.UK's example: waste received at 9am on Monday must be submitted, with a unique reference number, by 11:59pm on Wednesday. Digital waste tracking: check if you need to report the waste you receive.
£26 a year, per organisation
The service costs £26 per year for each organisation on the account, covering all of that organisation's waste-receiving sites. The first payment is due by 31 January 2027. The same £26 digital waste tracking system fee is set in The Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026 and The Digital Waste Tracking (Wales) Regulations 2026. Report receipt of waste · SI 2026/729, regulation 5 · WSI 2026/105, regulation 5.
Failing to comply is an offence
GOV.UK guidance says you commit an offence if you do not comply with the rules, including deadlines, outages, written records, correcting errors, digital exclusion and making accurate records. The same guidance describes civil sanctions and criminal prosecution. Check if you need to report the waste you receive.
Digitally excluded operators
GOV.UK treats you as digitally excluded only if digital tools are not practical because of age, disability or location, or the business is run entirely by practising members of a religious society whose beliefs are not compatible with electronic communications or records. Preferring paper, being unfamiliar with software, or extra time or cost does not qualify. If you do qualify, you need a digitally excluded number from your regulator and a written record of each load within 2 working days, kept for at least 3 years. Digitally excluded route.
Defra's spreadsheet is a temporary route
You can report through the Receipt of Waste API, by uploading Defra's receipt of waste template spreadsheet, or both. You cannot use your own spreadsheet or change Defra's format. The service-development page says this spreadsheet route is temporary and is currently expected to remain until at least October 2027. Sending your data · Developing the digital waste tracking service.
Who to contact in each nation
For questions about meeting the requirements, GOV.UK says: England, the Environment Agency; Wales, Natural Resources Wales; Scotland, SEPA; Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). National regulator contacts.
Sources
- Digital waste tracking: check if you need to report the waste you receive (GOV.UK)
- Report receipt of waste (GOV.UK)
- Developing the digital waste tracking service (GOV.UK)
- Report receipt of waste: choose a software provider (GOV.UK)
- The Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/729)
- The Digital Waste Tracking (Wales) Regulations 2026 (WSI 2026/105)
One collection in, one compliant record out
AxiWaste doesn't bolt reporting onto your operation — it makes the compliant record a by-product of doing the job.
Lift confirmed → weight captured
The driver confirms the collection in the app; weight comes from a weighbridge ticket photo, a container-size default, or a manual entry — no re-keying at the office.
EWC assigned automatically
The correct code is applied per waste stream from your own catalogue, with hazardous streams flagged for consignment-note treatment.
WTN generated & signed
A digital Waste Transfer Note renders with carrier and disposal-site details attached, signed electronically by driver and site.
Queued to DEFRA — with retry
EWC lines and weighed tonnage are submitted to the Receipt of Waste API automatically, with retries if the service is briefly unavailable. No submission backlog, no month-end panic.
Digital Waste Tracking questions, answered
What is Digital Waste Tracking?
The UK government programme replacing paper waste records with mandatory digital reporting. Waste receipts must be reported to DEFRA's Receipt of Waste service, including the EWC code and weighed tonnage for each load.
Is it mandatory yet?
Yes, for receiving sites in England and Wales since 1 October 2026. Scotland and Northern Ireland: 1 January 2027. Carriers, brokers and dealers: planned from October 2027.
Who does it affect?
Permitted and licensed waste sites receiving waste — and by extension the carriers, brokers and collection operators whose loads they receive. If your movements end at a permitted site, the records need to be digital.
Do I need Defra-confirmed software?
Reporting must go through software compatible with DEFRA's Receipt of Waste API. Defra publishes the list of providers it has confirmed meet the requirements — Axithorn, the company behind AxiWaste, is on it.
What happens if I'm not ready?
Non-compliant record-keeping is an enforcement risk with the Environment Agency, and a commercial one — sites and contracts will increasingly expect digital-ready partners.
How quickly must waste receipts be reported?
Within 2 working days (excluding weekends and bank holidays), starting on the day after the waste is received, according to GOV.UK guidance "Digital waste tracking: check if you need to report the waste you receive". Read the guidance.
Which law requires digital waste tracking?
In England, The Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/729). In Wales, The Digital Waste Tracking (Wales) Regulations 2026 (WSI 2026/105). Both set an annual digital waste tracking system fee of £26. GOV.UK guidance says failing to comply is an offence. England regulations · Wales regulations · Offence and enforcement.
Can I report using a spreadsheet instead of software?
Yes, using Defra's own receipt of waste template spreadsheet if you do not have software connected to the Receipt of Waste API. You cannot use your own spreadsheet or change Defra's format. GOV.UK currently expects that spreadsheet route to remain available until at least October 2027. Spreadsheet route · How long it is expected to last.
Who do I contact about compliance in my nation?
England: Environment Agency. Wales: Natural Resources Wales. Scotland: SEPA. Northern Ireland: DAERA. GOV.UK guidance "Digital waste tracking: check if you need to report the waste you receive" lists those contacts for questions about meeting the requirements. Regulator contacts.
How long does it take to get set up?
That depends on fleet size and how your schedules and waste catalogue exist today. Take the 2-minute readiness check or book a walkthrough and we'll give you an honest answer for your operation.
Stay compliant with Digital Waste Tracking, without the paperwork
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