Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before getting started.
The service
What is Waste Receipt Tracker?
A web system for waste receiving sites. Your team records each waste movement that arrives - carrier, EWC codes, weights, containers - and the system submits it directly to the UK government's DEFRA Digital Waste Tracking Service, returning the official waste tracking ID onto your receipt.
Why do I need it?
From October 2026, operators of permitted or licensed waste receiving sites must report waste movements digitally to DEFRA. Doing that by hand against a technical API isn't practical - this system gives your team a simple screen instead, with DEFRA's rules checked before anything is sent.
Who is it for?
Transfer stations, treatment facilities, scrap yards, landfill and recovery sites, household waste recycling centres - any site that receives waste and holds (or is getting) an environmental permit or licence in the UK.
Do I need anything installed?
No - it runs in any modern web browser, on the weighbridge PC, a tablet or a phone.
Getting started
How quickly can we start?
Immediately. Checkout takes a couple of minutes and creates your company and admin login on the spot. Add your receiving site, and you can record receipts straight away - DEFRA submission switches on once your DEFRA credentials are added.
Do I need to register with DEFRA first?
No. You can sign up and start practising immediately - the system works with DEFRA's test environment while you register. Our step-by-step registration guide covers getting your API code and credentials from DEFRA (registration is free).
Can my whole team use it?
Yes - every plan above Starter includes multiple user accounts, and each person gets their own login. Receipts always record who entered them, which your auditors will thank you for. Company admins can add and manage users themselves.
We run several sites - is that covered?
Yes, you can set up multiple receiving sites under one company, each with its own permit number and address. Receipts and reports can be filtered per site. Groups with multiple legal entities should talk to us about Enterprise.
Billing & plans
How does billing work?
Plans are billed monthly or yearly - yearly billing gets you two months free. There are no setup fees and no minimum term; you can cancel any time. See plans & pricing.
Can I change plans later?
Yes - contact us and we'll switch your plan; user limits update immediately.
What happens to my data if I cancel?
Your receipts already submitted to DEFRA remain part of the official government record. We'll provide a CSV export of your data on request before your account closes.
Security & compliance
How is my account protected?
Passwords are stored using strong one-way hashing, every user can enable two-factor authentication with any authenticator app, and roles control who can manage what. Your DEFRA client secret is encrypted - it is never stored in plain text.
Is the DEFRA submission official?
Yes - submissions go to DEFRA's official Receipt of Waste API and return the official waste tracking ID. Every request and response is kept in an audit log you can inspect per receipt.
Who is responsible for the data submitted?
You are - the system transmits what your team enters, and regulatory responsibility for the accuracy of waste records stays with the waste operator, as set out in our Terms & Conditions. The system helps you get it right by validating DEFRA's business rules before submission and surfacing DEFRA's own feedback afterwards.
More help
Where can I get more help?
- Contact us - we reply within one working day
- DEFRA registration guide
- Logged-in users: the user guide covers day-to-day tasks step by step
- Official DEFRA docs: Digital Waste Tracking Service