Permitted waste receiving sites and software developers are being encouraged to take part in the beta phase, which is designed to test functionality and gather feedback ahead of the wider rollout.
The initial phase of the beta focuses on permitted and licensed waste site operators, who will be required to submit data on waste received.
During phase one, two submission routes will be available. Operators with existing waste management software can continue using their systems, with an application programming interface (API) allowing data to be transferred directly to the DWT service. For those without commercial software, a secondary option has been introduced in the form of a spreadsheet submission.
Household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) will also be required to record commercial waste received at permitted sites in England during phase one. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not included at this stage.
A service charge of £26 will apply, providing 12 months of rolling access to the platform.
From October 2026, Digital Waste Tracking will become mandatory for permitted waste receiving sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Scotland following in January 2027.
Regulations laid in Parliament
The beta launch follows the laying of new regulations in Parliament last week (24 April 2026), which will underpin the mandatory introduction of digital waste tracking.
The legislation will require the tracking of controlled waste through a single digital system, replacing the current largely paper-based processes.
According to the Defra, the move is intended to deliver faster and more reliable data, enabling regulators to identify suspicious activity and better target enforcement against illegal operators.
The system is also expected to simplify reporting requirements for legitimate businesses by streamlining how waste movements are recorded.
Phase two to follow
A second phase of the rollout is planned for October 2027, when the system becomes mandatory for a broader range of users.
This phase will primarily affect those arranging and transporting waste, including carriers, brokers and dealers, as well as waste exporters. It is also expected to include updates to Article 18 controls.
Phase two will begin with a private beta in autumn 2026, allowing a limited number of invited operators and software providers to start using the DWT service.
This will be followed by a public beta in spring 2027, when all operators will be able to use the system on a voluntary basis.
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