The UK produces over 200 million tonnes of waste every year. While some paper and digital waste tracking records are used, there is no comprehensive way for waste producers to show where and how waste is created, who is handling it and where it ends up.
As a result, the UK government is working to develop a central digital waste tracking service that is likely to be mandatory for all waste carriers starting April 2025.
This article explores why mandatory digital waste tracking is being introduced, how to prepare for the changes and work alongside the waste management industry. Plus, this article explores ways your business can benefit from the changes.
Why is Mandatory Digital Waste Tracking Being Introduced?
A UK-wide digital waste tracking service is being developed in collaboration with the UK, Scottish, and Welsh governments, along with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland.
There are five main principles behind the new digital waste tracking service.
Bring All Waste Data Together
Currently, fragmented waste management systems will be combined into one comprehensive tracking service.
Track Where Waste Ends Up
The new system will enable a UK-wide understanding of the amount of waste produced and where it ends up. This will help identify how much waste is recycled and explore improvement areas.
Make Compliance Simple
One digital tracking platform should make waste management simpler and easier for companies. Consistent waste transfer notes and digital evidence will guarantee that waste contracts are being managed within legal parameters.
Help Companies Improve Sustainability
Companies will have up-to-date, accurate data to show how much waste they produce and how it’s being managed. This information will give companies the knowledge to make sustainable decisions and move towards a circular economy strategy.
Tackling Waste Crime
The Environment Agency estimates that waste crime costs the UK economy £1 billion annually. A mandatory waste tracking system will reduce the mishandling of waste, illegal waste exports, and fly-tipping.
Types of Waste Being Tracked
All types of waste will be subject to tracking through the digital waste tracking service. It’s important to note that no businesses will be exempt.
- Hazardous waste
- Non-hazardous waste
- Green waste
- Commercial waste
- Industrial waste
- Incidental waste
There are also no limitations based on the amount of waste your business produces. Whatever type or amount of waste your business produces, it will be subject to tracking.
How Your Business Can Benefit From Mandatory Digital Waste Tracking
At Waste Mission, we have over forty years of waste management experience, and we fully support this new focus on tracking. A focus on tracking will help your business save money, reduce your impact on the environment and ensure materials are fed back into a circular economy—a win-win solution for everyone.
The introduction of a mandatory system will reap a multitude of benefits for your business, including:
- Helping you hit environmental, social, and governance targets
- Increasing operational efficiencies as you improve waste management processes
- Maximising the value of waste as resources
- Reducing waste crime in your business
- Improving transparency across the waste chain
- Reducing prosecutions for non-compliance
How Will Digital Waste Tracking Work?
The UK government has yet to announce the exact details of how the new service will work. However, we can safely assume that the process will move away from paper documents and focus on digital. The mandatory waste tracking service will require significant waste reporting processes including submitting details for every waste load that leaves your business and possibly including a recommendation for businesses to use waste management partners.
To avoid any mistakes and potential penalties, we can work with you to collate as much information as possible about your waste before April 2025.
Waste Mission’s Innovative Waste Management Portal
We can help you get ahead of your competitors and ensure all your waste is tracked through our brand-new waste management portal with real-time recording.
Designed specifically for contracted customers, it will enable you to manage your waste more effectively and sustainably than ever before.
Streamlined Waste Management at Your Fingertips
Waste Mission’s Waste Management Portal offers a comprehensive dashboard overviewing key metrics, including disposal routes, carbon savings, and the latest invoices. Customer data is attractively summarised through pie charts that detail various waste types, tonnages, and CO2 savings. This feature enhances transparency and empowers manufacturers to make informed decisions that align with their sustainability goals.
Financial Clarity and Compliance Made Easy
Navigating the financial aspects of waste management can be daunting. Waste Mission’s new portal simplifies this process by allowing users to download all invoices as PDFs alongside waste transfer notes and multimedia evidence, ensuring compliance and clarity. A dedicated section for compliance documents also guarantees that contracts are managed within legal parameters, giving customers peace of mind.
Customisable Reporting for Informed Decision-Making
Understanding the specifics of waste generation is crucial for manufacturers aiming to reduce their environmental impact. The bespoke reporting feature allows customers to create tailored reports that cater to their unique needs. This functionality enables businesses to track and manage their waste streams effectively, driving them towards more sustainable practices.
Stay Ahead with Real-Time Updates and Education
The commitment to keeping customers informed extends beyond waste management. The portal features a dynamic education/news section that updates users on the latest legislation and industry news sourced from our website, wastemission.com. This resource equips manufacturers with the knowledge to stay compliant and adapt to evolving regulations.
Enhanced Communication and Coordination
The portal’s transport calendar displays all scheduled collections, complete with vehicle registration numbers and driver names, fostering transparency and accountability. Additionally, multiple communication options ensure our customers can easily reach out for inquiries or support.
Summary
By the end of April 2025, the UK government will likely bring into force mandatory measures for businesses to track all waste.
This is good news for the environment and good news for cost savings in your business.
Yet, we fully appreciate that change is never easy. Thankfully, you don’t need to do this alone. At Waste Mission we can help you implement new waste management systems and start driving efficiencies today.
