Local authorities are being encouraged to register for the government’s Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) service as preparations continue for mandatory reporting in October 2026. This follows the legislation being passed by government earlier this year.

Defra has opened registration to councils that operate, manage or have responsibility for waste sites, giving them the opportunity to establish their accounts ahead of the first mandatory requirements.

The first phase of Digital Waste Tracking is scheduled to become mandatory in October 2026 in England and Wales, followed by Scotland and Northern Ireland in January 2027.

The requirements will vary between the four nations.

In England, waste received at permitted sites will generally need to be recorded, although household waste deposited by residents at permitted household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) is excluded.

For local authorities, the current scope in England is limited to sites handling commercial waste. HWRCs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to enter the system during later phases.

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Preparing for DWT

Defra is recommending that local authorities register before the mandatory reporting requirements begin.

Early access will allow councils to establish their “Report receipt of waste” service account, allocate users and permissions, and agree reporting arrangements for sites operated by contractors.

It will also give staff time to become familiar with the platform and prepare for submitting information once reporting becomes compulsory.

Councils are being advised to assess their reporting responsibilities across their sites and contractors and decide how they will submit information.

Available options are expected to include direct submission through an API for operators using compatible waste management software, as well as a spreadsheet-based route.

Defra has also stressed that existing waste recording requirements will continue to apply during the transition to DWT.

Local authorities that took part in the private beta will need to complete registration again before the system becomes mandatory.

Local authorities across the UK can now access a new online platform to manage pEPR grant information.

The Local Authority Payments (LAPs) service, developed by PackUK for the four UK nations, gives councils a single platform to view documentation and information relating to their EPR for packaging grant payments.

Users will be able to view and download notices of assessment, grant determination letters and remittance documents through the platform.

The service also allows authorities to check and confirm payment information, submit queries and request support.

Local authorities can use LAPs to manage authorised users within their organisation, with chief executive officers (CEOs) being invited to register initially.

A head of finance must also be registered to confirm the details used for the distribution of EPR for packaging payments.

PackUK explained that LAPs is an information and administration platform rather than a payment system. It does not calculate, process or transfer grant payments, and the launch does not alter how councils receive their EPR funding.

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The Local Authority Payments Service

The platform was developed following engagement with local authorities, with councils from across the UK taking part in testing during June and July.

Feedback from the testing highlighted the ease of navigating the service and the benefit of having grant documentation available through a single platform, PackUK said.

Once an organisation has been given access, its authorised users will be able to view grant information and manage access to the service.

Guidance and support on EPR for packaging grants will also be available through LAPs.

The new service is part of PackUK's wider development of digital infrastructure for the packaging EPR scheme.

More than £1.4 billion was distributed to local authorities across the UK during the scheme's first operational year.

The funding is intended to support improvements to local recycling and waste management services.