At Vaste, we operate the UK's first cloud-based feedstock and compliance platform — and we want to make sure LARAC members are ready for one of the most significant changes to hit the waste sector.
What is DWTS?
The Digital Waste Tracking Service is a new UK-wide initiative led by Defra, in collaboration with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and DAERA (Northern Ireland), that will create a single, centralised digital record of every controlled waste movement — giving regulators near real-time visibility for the first time. All permitted and licensed waste receiving sites will be legally required to submit a digital record of each waste receipt to Defra via API within 48 hours, regardless of whether the accompanying Waste Transfer Note or Consignment Note is paper or digital.
DWTS will be introduced in phases. Phase 1 applies to all permitted and licensed waste receiving sites and becomes mandatory from October 2026. A private beta is already live, with a public beta now open, giving waste receivers time to prepare ahead of the deadline. Phase 2 will expand the scope to include waste producers, carriers, brokers, and dealers from October 2027.
Why it matters for local authority operations
In as much as the immediate focus is on Environment Agency permitted waste receiving facilities, whether your authority manages waste directly, commissions services through contractors, or operates transfer stations and HWRCs, DWTS will change how compliance is managed day to day. The system requires detailed digital records for each waste movement, including EWC classification codes, movement references, and treatment outcomes — submitted via API, not by email or manual form. Non-compliance risks enforcement action under existing waste regulations. With an estimated 12,000 permitted waste sites in scope for Phase 1 — and an estimated 54% currently without API-capable software — this is a fundamental shift in how compliance is managed.
It is worth noting that household waste delivered by members of the public to HWRCs is out of scope for Phase 1. However, HWRC operators in England will need to record commercial waste received into permitted sites under Phase 1 from October 2026. For Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, this requirement will come in the future.
The good news is that preparation doesn't have to be complex. Facilities that start early can test their systems, train their teams, and resolve workflow issues well before the deadline, avoiding the rush that will inevitably come in late 2026.
How Vaste can help
Vaste is one of a small number of software companies already integrated with the Defra DWTS API. Our platform connects directly to the national system, removing the need for manual data entry and enabling compliant waste tracking to be completed in under a minute. We help organisations make the transition smoothly — keeping them compliant while cutting the administrative burden of waste tracking by 80–90%.
To find out more or to book a demo with the Vaste team, get in touch at evans.chelal@vaste.bio or visit www.vaste.bio.
