The UK Government, in collaboration with the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, has announced a postponement in the implementation of the mandatory Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) system.
Originally slated for April 2025, the rollout is now rescheduled for April 2026. This decision comes in response to feedback from industry stakeholders expressing concerns about the feasibility of meeting the initial deadline.
In a joint letter, senior officials from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government informed industry stakeholders of the revised timeline.
The letter acknowledged the challenges highlighted by businesses and emphasised the need to ensure adequate preparation time for the integration of new digital technologies.
The DWT system aims to replace existing paper-based waste tracking methods with a comprehensive digital platform. This initiative is designed to provide real-time data on waste generation, handling, and disposal across the UK. Key objectives of the system include:
Enhancing waste management
By offering a unified method to monitor waste production and its final destinations, the system seeks to improve overall waste management practices.
Supporting regulatory compliance
The digital platform will assist businesses in adhering to their duty of care obligations concerning waste, ensuring that waste is managed responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations.
Advancing the circular economy
By providing detailed insights into waste flows, the system will facilitate the UK's transition towards a circular economy, aiming to maximise resource efficiency and minimise waste.
Combating waste crime
The enhanced transparency and traceability offered by the digital system are expected to deter illegal activities such as fly-tipping, unauthorised waste exports, and the operation of illegal waste sites.
Development and implementation timeline
The decision to delay the implementation reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that the DWT system is robust, user-friendly, and effectively meets the needs of all stakeholders involved in waste management. By providing additional time for implementation, the administrations aim to facilitate a smoother transition for businesses and to ensure the successful adoption of the new system.
Impact on existing systems
The introduction of the DWT service will allow for the decommissioning of outdated legacy IT systems, such as the electronic duty of care (EDOC). The new service aims to improve the coverage, quality, and timeliness of data collection, facilitating more efficient and effective waste regulation by providing a single, comprehensive method of tracking waste production and disposal.
Government strategy and commitment
The DWT initiative aligns with broader government commitments, including the Resources and Waste Strategy for England and the Welsh Government’s Beyond Recycling Strategy. These strategies emphasise the importance of tracking waste to provide detailed information, aiding future policy development and efforts to combat waste crime.
Supporting legislation
The Environment Act 2021 grants the UK Government and devolved administrations the authority to establish a digital waste tracking system. This legislation mandates that individuals and organisations involved in waste production, handling, disposal, or the creation of products from waste enter relevant information into the system, ensuring comprehensive tracking and accountability.
The Government has reiterated its dedication to collaborating with industry stakeholders throughout the development and implementation phases of the DWT system.
Further updates regarding the project's progress and any additional consultations will be communicated in due course.
