Digital Waste Tracking Is Coming. What Construction Subcontractors Need to Know
Big changes are on the way for how waste is tracked in the UK, and construction subcontractors are right in the middle of it. The government is rolling out a new digital waste tracking system that will gradually replace paper waste transfer notes and bring much tighter oversight of where waste comes from and where it ends up.
While this might sound like something only waste operators need to worry about, subcontractors will feel the impact on site, on projects, and in day-to-day admin.
What’s actually changing?
Over the next couple of years, waste movements will need to be recorded digitally using a central government service. The rollout is phased, starting with permitted and licensed waste sites, then expanding to include carriers, brokers and others. By late 2026 and into 2027, digital tracking will become the normal way of doing things across the sector.
Paper notes will not disappear overnight, but the direction is clear. Digital will become the default. Subcontractors often generate waste but rely on others to move and process it. Under digital tracking, everyone in that chain becomes more visible. Information will be logged in real time and checked more easily by regulators. That means mistakes or gaps are more likely to be spotted.
In practice, businesses will need to be accurate about what waste they are producing, how it is classified, and who is taking it away. They may also need to share information digitally with main contractors or waste carriers, rather than relying on paper copies handed over on site.
In short:
You will need accurate waste descriptions and quantities
Waste carriers and processors you use must be ready for digital tracking, or jobs could be delayed
Basic digital skills and systems will become part of compliance, even for smaller firms
Duty of care responsibilities stay the same, but enforcement is likely to become stricter over time
Firms that adapt early may find it easier to win work with clients focused on sustainability and compliance
There may be a bit of adjustment at first, but digital tracking should mean less paperwork over time and far clearer records. It also helps tackle waste crime and boost recycling, things many clients already expect from their supply chain. This isn’t something businesses can ignore or pass on to someone else. It will shape how waste is managed on site and how smoothly projects run. The upside is there’s still time to get ready. Start the conversation with your waste partners now, take a look at how you record waste information, and make sure your team knows what’s coming next.