The short answer
From 1 October 2026, permitted and licensed sites in England and Wales that receive controlled waste must report every load they take in, using the government’s online “Report receipt of waste” service. Under the government’s published plans, waste carriers, brokers and dealers come next, with the service due to become mandatory for them from October 2027.
If you’re a business that produces waste oil, such as a garage, workshop, factory or farm, you don’t have a new reporting job yet. Your paper consignment notes carry on as normal. But the information on them now feeds a digital record, so it needs to be accurate.
What is digital waste tracking?
Digital waste tracking is a government online service that records waste movements, replacing a patchwork of paper records and returns with one digital system. The aim is to give regulators better information about who is moving waste and where it goes, to make it easier for legitimate businesses to comply, and to make it harder for waste criminals to operate.
The legal basis is the Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026, with matching regulations for Wales.
The timeline
- Spring 2026: the service opened to all permitted and licensed receiving sites for public testing.
- 1 October 2026: mandatory for receiving sites in England and Wales. Each load must be reported within 2 working days.
- January 2027: mandatory for receiving sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Autumn 2026 to spring 2027: testing with waste carriers, brokers and dealers, then public testing.
- From October 2027: planned to become mandatory for waste collectors (phase 2).
Waste exemptions are due to be included in a later phase. Dates after today are government plans and could change, so check the latest guidance.
Do consignment notes still exist?
Yes. The guidance says the current paper-based method will initially run alongside the new service. Waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes must still be completed, and receiving sites must still send hazardous waste consignee returns. For waste oil, you’ll still get a consignment note at every collection and you must still keep your records for 3 years.
What it means for waste oil producers
- Accurate descriptions matter more. The receiving site has to report the waste code, hazardous properties and quantities. Those come from the details on your consignment note, so describe your waste properly.
- Keep waste streams separate. Clean, separated waste oil, filters and interceptor waste are easier to describe and record correctly. See how to store waste oil.
- Use a registered carrier. Digital records give regulators a clearer view of who moved waste and where, which makes it harder for unregistered operators. Check any carrier on the Environment Agency public register (ours is CBDU69834).
- Keep your own records. Nothing changes here: keep consignment notes and consignee returns for 3 years.
- Watch for updates. Later phases may bring more changes. Signing up for GOV.UK email alerts on digital waste tracking is an easy way to keep up.
What it means for collections with BL Oils
For you, nothing changes on the day: tell us what you’ve got, we give you a free quote, collect it and leave the paperwork. As the carrier phase comes in, we’ll follow the requirements for carriers and dealers so your side stays simple. See waste oil collection and compliance & licence.
Frequently asked questions
When did digital waste tracking start?
It became mandatory for permitted and licensed receiving sites in England and Wales on 1 October 2026. Under the government’s plans, it becomes mandatory for waste carriers, brokers and dealers from October 2027.
Does my garage need to register for digital waste tracking?
Not under the phases published so far. Phase 1 is for sites that receive waste, and phase 2 is for carriers, brokers and dealers. Keep an eye on GOV.UK in case this changes.
Do I still need consignment notes for waste oil?
Yes. Paper consignment notes and waste transfer notes continue alongside the digital service for now, and you must still keep your records for 3 years.
Does digital waste tracking cover hazardous waste like waste oil?
Yes. Receiving sites must report controlled waste, including hazardous waste details such as hazardous property codes.
What should I do now?
Make sure your waste is described accurately, keep waste oil separate from other waste, use a registered carrier and keep your paperwork.
Need waste oil collected? BL Oils is based in Doncaster and collects from businesses across all of Yorkshire, plus Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Call or WhatsApp 07785 921493, email info@bloils.co.uk or ask for a free quote. Got an urgent problem? Our phone is answered 24/7: see emergency waste oil collection.
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK: Digital waste tracking: check if you need to report the waste you receive
- GOV.UK: Developing the digital waste tracking service (policy paper, updated 1 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Digital waste tracking guidance and information
- GOV.UK: Hazardous waste consignment notes
Checked against official guidance in October 2026. This guide is general information for businesses in England, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked guidance or ask the Environment Agency if you’re unsure.