Compliance Explainers

Digital Waste Tracking: What It Is and What It Changes

The short answer:

Digital waste tracking is the UK’s move from paper waste documents to a digital record of every waste movement — from the site where waste is produced to the facility where it is treated. Run by the Environment Agency and underpinned by the Environment Act 2021, it gives every load a single, traceable electronic record.

For organisations retiring IT, it means the same duty-of-care evidence — but recorded digitally and auditable end to end, rather than held on paper.

Ask About Your Collection Read the FAQs

Last reviewed: 20 September 2026 • Methodology

What you need to do Rollout timeline FAQ
1

legislation: the Environment Act 2021

100%

of movements logged site-to-treatment

WTN

Waste Transfer Note issued per collection

0

paper-only records

What It Changes

What Digital Waste Tracking Means for Your Organisation

Paper becomes digital

Waste Transfer Notes and consignment notes move into an electronic record, so the duty-of-care chain is searchable instead of filed in a drawer.

Traceability improves

Every movement links back to a single reference — so an auditor can see exactly what left your site, where it went, and how it was treated.

Compliance gets easier

Because TFix records digitally as standard, your documentation is already aligned with the rollout — no retrofitting required.

In Practice

The Digital Record, Step by Step

How a TFix movement becomes a traceable digital record.

The Legal Basis

What the Law Says

The Environment Act 2021

Digital waste tracking is introduced under the Environment Act 2021, which gives government the powers to require digital recording of waste movements. The aim is a single, consistent electronic record of what moves from producer to treatment, replacing the patchwork of paper forms. Read the Act (legislation.gov.uk).

The duty of care

Everyone in the chain — producer, carrier, and treatment facility — already has a legal duty of care for waste. Digital tracking formalises that record: each party must be able to show what was transferred, to whom, and that the recipient is authorised to handle it. Waste duty of care: code of practice (GOV.UK).

Responsibility

Who Records What

RoleWhat they recordWhat TFix does
Waste producerWhat waste left site, when, and with whom.Raises the Waste Transfer Note and hands you the record.
CarrierThe load in transit, from collection to delivery.Operates under Environment Agency waste-carrier registration with GPS-tracked vehicles.
Treatment facilityHow the waste was treated and the final outcome.Records destruction, recycling, or recovery and returns the outcome to you.
TFix compliance checklist documenting data sanitisation and environmental steps Digital portal tracking IT asset resale and profit-share reporting
How TFix Handles It

One Reference, End to End

Every TFix job is assigned a single chain-of-custody reference that links the transfer documentation, the serialised asset list, the destruction or recycling outcome, and the final report.

That reference is your digital record: it ties the Waste Transfer Note to the per-device destruction certificates and the recycling outcome, so a movement can be reconstructed at any point — without relying on paper.

  • Single chain-of-custody reference per job
  • Waste Transfer Note raised on collection
  • Serialised asset list linked to the same reference
  • Destruction or recycling outcome reported back
  • Hazardous consignments (batteries) documented correctly
  • Audit-ready evidence without paper
See Licensed Collection
Your Checklist

What You Need to Do

  1. 1. Know your waste

    Know what equipment you have, whether it carries data, and whether it is classed as hazardous (for example, batteries). That determines the correct documentation and route.

  2. 2. Use an authorised carrier

    Move waste only with a registered waste carrier and keep proof of their registration. TFix operates under an Environment Agency waste carrier registration.

  3. 3. Keep the record

    Retain your Waste Transfer Notes, consignment notes, and destruction or recycling reports — they are your evidence of a compliant transfer.

Rollout

How It’s Being Rolled Out

  • 1

    Now: hazardous waste first

    Digital recording began with hazardous waste — the streams that already need consignment notes, including batteries.

  • 2

    Next: wider rollout

    The government intends to extend digital recording across waste types, moving from paper Waste Transfer Notes to electronic records.

  • 3

    Throughout: duty of care applies

    Digital or paper, the duty of care is unchanged — you must keep waste safe and hand it only to an authorised carrier or facility.

Questions

Digital Waste Tracking FAQ

What is digital waste tracking?

Digital waste tracking is the UK move from paper waste documents to a digital record of every waste movement, from the site where waste is produced to the facility where it is treated. Run by the Environment Agency and underpinned by the Environment Act 2021, it creates a single traceable record of what moved, where, and who handled it.

What documentation does digital waste tracking replace?

It digitises the paper Waste Transfer Notes and hazardous waste consignment notes that accompany waste movements, so the same duty-of-care information is recorded and traceable electronically.

Is digital waste tracking mandatory in the UK?

Yes — it is being phased in as a legal requirement. The rollout began with hazardous waste, and the government intends to extend digital recording across waste types. TFix records movements digitally now, so customers are already compliant ahead of the wider rollout.

Do I need to do anything differently as a TFix customer?

No. TFix handles the digital record on your behalf: every collection is logged with a chain-of-custody reference, and you receive the correct Waste Transfer Note, consignment note, or recycling report for your records.

How does TFix record waste movements?

Each job is assigned a single reference that links the transfer documentation, the serialised asset list, the destruction or recycling outcome, and the final report — so a movement can be traced end to end without relying on paper.

What is the waste duty of care?

The waste duty of care is a legal requirement on anyone who produces, carries, or treats waste to keep it safe, ensure it is handled by an authorised person, and keep a record of every transfer. Digital waste tracking makes those records electronic and auditable.

What happens if waste is moved without the right documentation?

Moving waste without proper documentation is a breach of the duty of care and can lead to enforcement action, including fines. Digital records make it easier to prove a compliant transfer at every stage, which is why TFix documents each movement as standard.

Sources and references

Related reading

The waste hierarchy WEEE regulations Documents & accreditations Secure WEEE collection