DEFRA Digital Waste Tracking Software

DEFRA Digital Waste Tracking software for structured Receipt of Waste records, supporting documents, API submission and audit trails in Folderit.

Illustration of a structured Receipt of Waste checklist with approved and rejected entries

The UK is introducing a new Digital Waste Tracking service for waste movements. From 1 October 2026, licensed and permitted waste receiving sites in England and Wales must report details of controlled waste they receive through the Report Receipt of Waste service. The requirement starts in Scotland and Northern Ireland from 1 January 2027.

The service is operated by Defra as a UK-wide system. The relevant environmental regulators are the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales in Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland.

Folderit helps waste organisations manage the records and evidence behind those waste movements in one secure document management system, with structured data, supporting files, permissions, workflows and audit trails.

Folderit can help you prepare and submit Receipt of Waste records to the UK Digital Waste Tracking service today.

Request a DEFRA Digital Waste Tracking Demo

Tell us about your receiving sites and current process, and we’ll show how Folderit can support structured Receipt of Waste records, documents, workflows, audit trails and API-based submission.

Tell us about your DEFRA DWT deadline, receiving sites, reporting workflow, API needs, or current spreadsheet/software process.

See How DEFRA Digital Waste Tracking Works in Folderit

The video demonstrates the working process: create or review a structured Receipt of Waste record, keep supporting evidence with it, submit the structured information to the UK Digital Waste Tracking service and retain the returned Waste Tracking ID in Folderit.

One UK-Wide Digital Waste Tracking Service

Illustration of people managing waste records around a large bin for the UK-wide Digital Waste Tracking service

The new Digital Waste Tracking service is being introduced across the United Kingdom rather than as four separate reporting systems. Defra operates the service on behalf of the UK nations, while waste regulation remains the responsibility of the relevant national environmental regulators.

This means organisations in Scotland and Northern Ireland will use the same UK-wide Digital Waste Tracking infrastructure, with the first mandatory Receipt of Waste reporting requirements applying there from 1 January 2027.

One Place for Waste Records and Supporting Evidence

Waste records and supporting documents uploaded from folders to secure cloud storage

Digital Waste Tracking is based on structured waste movement data, but the supporting paperwork still needs to be securely stored, organised and easy to retrieve.

Folderit can bring together documents such as:

Documents can be indexed, searched, linked to the appropriate waste record and managed with permissions, workflows, version history and a complete audit trail.

Structured Receipt of Waste Records

Folderit eForms create structured Receipt of Waste records containing information needed for digital reporting, including waste movement, carrier and receiver details, waste classification codes, recovery or disposal information, hazardous waste data and persistent organic pollutant (POP) information.

This gives your team a consistent digital record alongside the original documents and supporting evidence.

How the Folderit DEFRA Integration Works

  1. Record – create or review the Receipt of Waste record in Folderit.
  2. Evidence – keep the relevant documents and scanned paperwork with the waste record.
  3. Review – check that the required information is complete before submission.
  4. Submit – an authorised user sends the structured record to the UK Digital Waste Tracking service from Folderit.
  5. Track – Folderit stores the returned Waste Tracking ID and validation result with the record.

The aim is to keep the waste record, Waste Tracking ID, supporting documents and audit history together rather than splitting compliance information between different systems.

Meet the Two-Working-Day Reporting Deadline

For waste received in England or Wales, the required information must generally be submitted within two working days, starting on the day after the waste is received.

A structured digital process makes it easier to identify records awaiting submission, review the required information and maintain evidence of what was submitted and when.

Already Using Waste Management Software?

Illustration of waste management software connected to Folderit as a document and compliance layer

You do not necessarily need to replace it.

Folderit can work as the document and compliance layer alongside an existing waste management or operational system. Your existing software can continue to manage areas such as scheduling, billing, weighbridge operations or other operational processes, while Folderit manages the supporting documents, scanned paperwork, workflows, structured records and audit evidence.

For organisations without suitable Digital Waste Tracking software, Folderit can provide a practical route for managing structured Receipt of Waste records and submitting the required data to the UK service.

Move Away From Paper-Based Waste Records

Folderit user managing digital waste records on a computer instead of paper files

Folderit combines document management and structured records in one secure environment:

This makes waste documentation easier to manage during everyday operations and easier to retrieve when evidence is required for an audit or compliance check.

Folderit and the DEFRA Receipt of Waste API

Diagram showing Folderit connected to the Defra Receipt of Waste API

Folderit supports the Defra Report Receipt of Waste API workflow used by the UK Digital Waste Tracking service.

Authorised users can submit structured waste receipt information from Folderit and retain the resulting Waste Tracking ID and validation information with the corresponding record.

Because the service is UK-wide, the same approach can support organisations operating in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as the relevant requirements take effect.

Folderit can help waste organisations today with a working Digital Waste Tracking setup, including structured records, supporting evidence and API-based Receipt of Waste submission.

Get Ready for UK Digital Waste Tracking

Illustration of a user preparing UK Digital Waste Tracking documents in Folderit

Whether you are replacing paper filing or need a document management layer alongside your existing waste management software, Folderit provides a central place for waste records, submitted tracking IDs and the evidence behind them.

UK organisations can work directly with our local UK partner for demonstrations, implementation discussions and support with their Folderit Digital Waste Tracking solution.

Contact Us About Digital Waste Tracking

UK Digital Waste Tracking FAQs

When does Digital Waste Tracking become mandatory?

For licensed and permitted waste receiving sites, Receipt of Waste reporting becomes mandatory from 1 October 2026 in England and Wales. The requirement starts from 1 January 2027 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Is Digital Waste Tracking the same system in Scotland?

Yes. Scotland is participating in the UK-wide Digital Waste Tracking system operated by Defra. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) remains the environmental regulator in Scotland, with mandatory Receipt of Waste reporting beginning on 1 January 2027.

What about Digital Waste Tracking in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland is also participating in the UK-wide Digital Waste Tracking system. The relevant environmental authority is the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), including the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). Mandatory Receipt of Waste reporting starts in Northern Ireland on 1 January 2027.

How quickly must a waste receipt be reported?

In England and Wales, receipt records must generally be submitted within two working days, starting on the day after the waste is received.

Will Folderit submit waste records directly to the Digital Waste Tracking service?

Yes. Folderit can support direct submission of structured Receipt of Waste data through the Defra API and save the returned Waste Tracking ID and validation result in Folderit.

Are supporting documents sent to the Digital Waste Tracking service?

The current Receipt of Waste process is based on structured waste data. Supporting documents such as Waste Transfer Notes, weighbridge tickets, consignment notes, photographs and permits can remain securely stored and linked to the appropriate record in Folderit.

Can Folderit work alongside existing waste management software?

Yes. Folderit can be used as the document and compliance layer while existing operational software continues to manage functions such as scheduling, billing, site operations or other waste management processes.

Does Folderit have a local partner in the UK?

Yes. UK organisations interested in Folderit for Digital Waste Tracking can work directly with our local UK partner for demonstrations, implementation discussions and ongoing assistance.