DEFRA Announce Digital Waste Tracking Timeline and Invites Beta Participants
On 10 July 2025, Defra confirmed the implementation timeline for the Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) service and announced the launch of a private beta phase to test the system ahead of its rollout.
The service will be introduced in stages, with Defra highlighting that a phased approach is intended to support system stability, ease of use, and sufficient transition time for users.
Under the current timeline, the DWT system will be made available to all permitted and licensed waste receiving sites from April 2026. It will become mandatory for these sites from October 2026.
The full rollout schedule is as follows:
- Autumn 2025: Private beta opens for invited users
- Spring 2026: System available to all permitted and licensed waste receiving sites
- October 2026: Use of DWT becomes mandatory for those sites
- April 2027: Planned expansion to additional operator groups
Defra is now inviting waste receivers to express interest in joining the private beta phase, scheduled to begin in September 2025.
Participants will help test the system, processes and associated documentation, and provide early feedback on how well the service functions in practice. This will also support software developers in preparing their systems for integration with the new tracking platform.
You can sign up to the beta here.
Finally, Defra will be hosting webinars on DWT and the timeline updates.
Please see registration details below:
Tuesday 22 July 2025, 1:30 – 2:30pm: Register here
Thursday 24 July 2025, 10:00 – 11:00am: Register here
For the DEFRA Circular Economy Newsletter article, please click here.
For the updated DWT policy paper, it’s here.