Frequently asked questions
The things operators ask us most often, answered directly. If something is missing, ping us at Sales@WeaveComply.com and we'll add it.
When does mandatory digital waste tracking start in the UK?
October 2026 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Phase One — operators of licensed/permitted waste-receiving sites). January 2027 for Scotland. October 2027 is Phase Two, which extends the mandate to carriers, brokers, dealers and exporters.
How long do I have to report after receiving waste?
Two working days from the day after receipt. Weekends and UK bank holidays don't count. For example, waste received at 9am Monday must be reported by 23:59 Wednesday.
What does the service cost?
£26 per organisation per year, charged from October 2026. The fee is per legal entity, not per site, so a multi-site operator pays once regardless of how many receiving sites it runs.
Can I use my own spreadsheet?
No. DEFRA's template is the only accepted spreadsheet format. Custom workbooks, modified column names, added helper columns, renamed tabs and reordered rows will all fail validation.
Does one API code cover multiple sites?
Yes. Each organisation gets one 6-digit API code that's used across every site under that legal entity. You do not register sites separately for the API.
Can a consultant report on behalf of multiple clients?
Yes, but each client organisation must be a separate submission. You can't combine multiple organisations' movements into one workbook or one API connection.
Do local authorities use this service?
No. Local authorities are currently prohibited from using the Digital Waste Tracking service. DEFRA is working on a separate path for council-collected waste.
What happens if I miss the two-working-day window?
You should still submit the report as soon as possible — every receipt must eventually be recorded. Repeated late submissions could attract enforcement action from your environmental regulator (Environment Agency, SEPA, NRW or NIEA). The regulators have indicated their approach will follow existing waste-compliance enforcement frameworks.
What if a load has both hazardous and non-hazardous waste?
Record each waste type as a separate item-level row, with the correct EWC code for each. The hazardous-yes/no flag is set per item, not per movement, so mixed loads are handled by row.
Do I need a hazardous waste consignment note?
If the load is hazardous, the consignment note should accompany it and you record the consignment code on the movement. If it's genuinely absent (small quantities, household, etc.), you must populate the 'reason for no consignment' field.
Can I use a personal Government Gateway account?
No. You must use your organisation's Government Gateway account. Personal accounts will fail validation.
Are the EWC and HP codes the same as before?
Yes. The 6-digit EWC codes and HP_1–HP_15 hazardous property codes are unchanged — they're the same codes you've used on waste transfer notes and consignment notes for years. DEFRA's service is a new submission channel, not a new code system.
What if my software provider isn't ready for the API?
You have two options: switch to the spreadsheet path until they certify, or use a service like Weave Comply that handles the integration for you. Don't wait until October 2026 to find out — start the conversation now.
Where do I actually upload or submit?
The service portal lives at waste-tracking.defra.gov.uk. Sign in with your organisation's Government Gateway account and follow the upload or API setup flow.