If your operation handles waste, then you need to be aware of significant regulatory changes that are due to come into effect this year.
Following the rollout of the Simpler Recycling legislation, which came into effect in March 2025, the Government is implementing a mandatory Digital Waste Tracking Service that will fundamentally change the way that waste movements are recorded and reported.
So what does the new Digital Waste Tracking Service cover, and how will it impact your operations?
What’s changing?
In an attempt to combat the estimated £1 billion annual cost of waste crime to the UK economy1, the government is replacing the existing paper-based waste transfer note system with a new digital tracking platform.
The system, which is currently being tested, will integrate directly with existing warehouse management and waste tracking software, connecting the systems that are used today. It will then be officially unveiled in October when compliance will become mandatory.
Once launched, the system will impact all parties involved in waste movement, from waste producers to recyclers.
How will this impact you?
Though the new Digital Waste Tracking Service is targeted towards the UK’s 12,000 waste site operators, it will have a knock-on effect that’s felt by companies across the country.
Put simply, if your operation generates any form of commercial or industrial waste, then your operation will be covered by the new Digital Waste Tracking Service.
The good news, is that the administrative and reporting burden will fall on the shoulders of your contractors. But, because you’re legally obliged to ensure your waste is handled correctly, you will want to check with your contractors ahead of time to verify that they will be using the new digital system.
You’ll also want to find out how they’ll share the records with you. That’s because these records will be an invaluable tool, providing clearer, more accessible evidence of waste movements that will strengthen compliance and simplify your reporting. They will also make it easier for you to track and report on your sustainability goals, as you’ll have accurate information on exactly where your waste is going.
Getting ahead of changing legislation
While regulatory changes always require effort, the silver lining for operators is that changes such as the Digital Waste Tracking Service will offer genuine benefits for your business. Though it’s been designed to help the government tackle waste crime, better data will help you to more accurately track your own waste, making it easier to report on compliance and sustainability goals.
However, we also have to be conscious that this is just one stop on a roadmap of future legislation changes affecting businesses coming up in the next few years. The message is clear. Change is coming. And operators should act now to get ahead of the curve and ensure a smoother transition when the new legislation arrives.
The good news is that improved recycling can deliver reduced costs and better sustainability. But how can you tell the story of your recycling success to the people it matters to? Check out our handy guide to find out how you can communicate your tracking and recycling successes.
Share on Social Media
