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Digital waste tracking for waste receivers

Understand Defra’s Receipt of Waste reporting and get the right spreadsheet ready to upload.

Already filling in the workbook? Check your Receipt of Waste spreadsheet for free.

Who needs to report, and when?

Licensed or permitted receivers of controlled waste must use Defra’s Report receipt of waste service. Start dates are October 2026 in England and Wales, and January 2027 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

There are exceptions, including some household waste recycling centre receipts and a separate process for digitally excluded operators. Check whether the reporting requirement applies to you on GOV.UK.

In England and Wales, the deadline is two working days, counted from the day after receipt. Existing waste transfer notes, consignment notes and required returns continue alongside digital reporting.

Use a spreadsheet or connected waste software

Defra accepts its official workbook or data sent by compatible waste software. You can use both routes. ComplyOnSite’s free tool helps you check the spreadsheet; it does not send reports.

Read Defra’s service and account guidance for how to register and submit.

Prepare your Receipt of Waste spreadsheet

  1. Download Defra’s template

    Download the Receipt of Waste workbook (.xlsx). Use a separate workbook for each organisation and keep its layout unchanged.

  2. Enter your movements and waste items

    Use “7. Waste movement level” for the loads received and “8. Waste item level” for the waste types in each load. Link each item to its movement reference. Follow the guidance and data definitions inside the workbook.

  3. Check, correct and check again

    The free checker finds missing details, unsupported values and mismatched references. It can fix unambiguous formatting slips. Correct missing business facts using your records, then check the saved workbook again.

    It supports non-hazardous waste only. Hazardous waste, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and consignment-note cases need the official guidance or suitable waste software.

    Check your waste spreadsheet

  4. Upload to the official service

    A successful check is not Defra acceptance. Review your records and upload the finished workbook yourself through Defra’s Report receipt of waste service.

Is this the spreadsheet you need?

The Receipt of Waste workbook is for digital reporting of waste received. The Environment Agency waste-tonnage returns spreadsheet, waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes serve different tasks. This checker does not check those documents.

Get help with the checker or see the free tools directory.

Reporting guidance checked on 14 September 2026. Follow the linked GOV.UK guidance for current requirements and exceptions.