Recording UK packaging waste in summary logs: supplementary guidance
Updated 1 December 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-log-templates-for-uk-packaging-waste/recording-uk-packaging-waste-in-summary-logs-supplementary-guidance
This guidance includes detailed information about how to record your packaging waste in the summary log templates.
It currently only refers to the 2 templates available:
- accredited reprocessors issuing packaging recycling notes (PRNs) on packaging waste received for recycling at a reprocessing site (or ‘on input’)
- accredited exporters
These templates are examples only and illustrate the type of information you will need to provide. Do not use them to enter your real data as the template and guidance may change before 1 January 2026 when the requirement comes into force.
This page will be updated to refer to other templates when they become available.
Accredited reprocessors issuing on packaging waste received: template sections
There are 7 sections in the summary log template for accredited reprocessors who issue PRNs on packaging waste received.
Section 1 - update your waste balance. Add the loads of UK packaging waste you’ve received for recycling. A load will only be added to your waste balance when you provide all the information in this section.
Section 2 - prepare for your monthly reporting on waste received. Prepare for your monthly reports by providing all the information in sections 1 and 2.
Section 3 - provide supporting information for waste received. You are required to keep your own records of this information to ensure that you remain compliant with regulations, and you will need to provide it to your regulator if requested.
Section 4 - record your reprocessed packaging waste. Provide all the information in this section when your packaging waste has been reprocessed.
Section 5 - record your waste sent on. Provide all the information in this section if any loads of packaging waste have been sent on. These loads will be removed from your waste balance.
Section 6 - prepare for your monthly reporting on waste sent on. Prepare for your monthly reports by providing all the information in this section.
Section 7 - provide supporting information for waste sent on. You are required to keep your own records of this information to ensure that you remain compliant with regulations, and you will need to provide it to your regulator if requested.
When to complete each section
You need to complete sections 1 and 2 in full every month, and sections 5 and 6 every month in which they apply. This is because they form part of your monthly report.
Sections 3, 4 and 7 are used to help the regulators know that you’re compliant.
Regulators expect you to complete sections 3 and 7 on a routine basis, as it demonstrates your ongoing compliance with regulatory obligations. Completing sections 3 and 7 is not essential for updating the waste balance, issuing PRNs, or submitting reports.
There is no timetable to complete section 4 as it does not form part of your monthly report, but completing section 4 is a condition of your accreditation.
Accredited reprocessor issuing on packaging waste received: data field descriptions
The tables in the following sections are guides to entering the required information in the template.
In the tables below:
-
‘column’ refers to the column in the template that the field appears in
-
‘data field’ matches the cells in row 6 of the template
-
‘format required’ explains the formatting required by the template when you enter your data
The ‘description’ of each field is not included in the template. This is included here to make the template simpler to use, and to make it easier to add clarifications during the year.
Section 1: update your waste balance
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Date received | The date waste was received at the accredited site. | Date |
| F | EWC code | A 6-digit code listed in the European Waste Catalogue (EWC). The EWC is a list of waste types which categorises waste based on a combination of what they are, and the process or activity that produces them. Read more in guidance on how to classify different types of waste. | Drop-down list |
| G | Description of waste received | The type and form of waste received at your site. | Drop-down list |
| H | Gross weight (Tonnes) | Total weight of the waste accepted for reprocessing as it arrives at your site. Include the vehicle weight if applicable. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| I | Tare weight (Tonnes) | Weight of vehicle or container when empty. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| J | Pallet weight and other transit packaging (Tonnes) | The total weight of the pallet when not loaded with waste. Transit packaging is all the protective packaging used to keep waste safe during transportation, storage, and handling, for example, plastic wrap. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| K | Net weight (excluding tare, pallet and other transit packaging) (Tonnes, automatically calculated) | Tare weight and pallet weight are deducted from the gross weight. | Automatically calculated and cannot be edited |
| L | Baling wire protocol applied? (This is a deduction of 0.15%) | To confirm if baling wire protocol is applied. | Drop-down list: yes or no |
| M | How did you calculate the recyclable proportion? | Choose the option outlined in your approved sampling and inspection plan. | Drop-down list |
| N | Weight of non-target material and contaminants (Tonnes) | Weight of any material received in the load that is not the target material. The target material is the waste packaging category. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| O | Recyclable proportion (Percentage) | The percentage applied to calculate the recyclable proportion as outlined in your approved sampling and inspection plan. This percentage is applied to the net weight. | Percentage value (0-100) |
| P | Tonnage of UK packaging waste received for recycling (Automatically calculated) | Weight of the UK packaging waste accepted for reprocessing. | Automatically calculated and cannot be edited |
Section 2: prepare for your monthly reporting on waste received
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Supplier name | Name of the business or organisation that supplied the waste. | Free text |
| T | First line of supplier address | The first line of the address of the waste supplier. On the waste transfer note, this will be the ‘transferor’. | Free text |
| U | Supplier postcode | The postcode of the waste supplier. | Postcode |
| V | Supplier email | The email address of the waste supplier. | Free text |
| W | Supplier phone number | The telephone number of the waste supplier (source of waste). | Number |
| X | Activities carried out by supplier on the packaging waste (For example, sorting) | List of activities carried out to ensure waste is handled responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations. For example, cleaning, sorting, bailing, shredding and transporting. | Free text |
Section 3: provide supporting information for waste received
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | Your reference | Your internal reference identifier for each load receipt, for example, purchase order numbers. | Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| AB | Weighbridge ticket number or scales reference | A unique identifier to track and record the weight of vehicles and their loads. | Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| AC | Carrier name (If applicable) | The business name of the carrier who delivered the waste to your site. | Free text |
| AD | Registration number of waste carrier, broker, CBD or ROC (If applicable) | The official registration number is a legal requirement for businesses that transport, buy, sell, or dispose of waste. The number is referred to differently in different nations. | Free text |
| AE | Carrier vehicle registration (If applicable) | The number plate of the vehicle that delivered the waste to your site. | Free text |
Section 4: record your reprocessed packaging waste
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Date load left site | The date product was removed from the site. | Date |
| F | Date recycled | The date waste was recycled. | Date |
| G | Description of product | Product produced from the reprocessing of a specific waste material, including its physical characteristics. For example, plastic flake, glass cullet. | Free text |
| H | End of waste standards (If applicable) | Article 6 (1) of the Waste Framework Directive sets out the end of waste test. It contains 4 conditions that all recycled or recovered material must meet to achieve end of waste status. | Drop-down list |
| I | Product tonnage | Total weight of the end product from the reprocessing operation. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| J | Weighbridge ticket number or scales reference | A unique identifier to track and record the weight of vehicles and their loads. | Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| K | Haulier name | The business name of the haulier that removes your product from your site. | Free text |
| L | Haulier vehicle registration | The vehicle registration number of the haulier. | Free text |
| M | Name of customer | Name of the business or organisation that purchased the end product. | Free text |
| N | Customer invoice or contract reference | The reference number of the invoice or contract details for your customer. | Free text |
Section 5: record your waste sent on
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Date load left the site | The date waste was removed from the site. | Date |
| F | Tonnage of UK packaging waste sent on | Total weight of UK packaging waste accepted for reprocessing at site but was not reprocessed and was sent off to another facility. | Tonnes |
Section 6: prepare for your monthly reporting on waste sent on
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Final destination facility type | This is the description of the facility that accepts the waste sent on from the reprocessor, for example, another reprocessor, exporter or waste to fuel conversion site. | Drop-down list |
| J | Final destination facility name | Name of the business or organisation that the unrecycled waste went to. | Free text |
| K | First line of final destination facility address | The first line of the address of the facility that the unrecycled waste went to. | Free text |
| L | Final destination facility postcode | The postcode of the facility that the unrecycled waste went to. | Postcode |
| M | Final destination facility email | The email address of the facility that the unrecycled waste went to. | Free text |
| N | Final destination phone number | The telephone number of the facility that the unrecycled waste went to. | Free text |
Section 7: provide supporting information for waste sent on
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Your reference | Your internal reference identifier for each load receipt, for example, purchase order numbers. | Free text |
| R | Description of waste sent on | A description of the type and form of waste sent on from your site. | Drop-down list |
| S | EWC code | A 6-digit code listed in the European Waste Catalogue (EWC). The EWC is a list of waste types which categorises waste based on a combination of what they are, and the process or activity that produces them. Read more in guidance on how to classify different types of waste. | Drop-down list |
| T | Weighbridge ticket number or scales reference | A unique identifier to track and record the weight of vehicles and their loads. | Free text |
Accredited exporters: template sections
This template is for accredited exporters who issue PERNs on packaging waste exported for recycling and received at overseas reprocessor sites included on your accreditation.
There are 5 sections of this template.
Section 1 - update your waste balance. Add the loads of UK packaging waste you’ve received for export. A load will only be added to your waste balance when you provide all the information in this section.
Section 2 - prepare for your monthly reporting on exported waste. Prepare for your monthly reports by providing all the information in sections 1 and 2. If any unexported waste has been sent on, your monthly reports will also need to include all the information in section 4.
Section 3 - provide supporting information for received and exported packaging waste. You can still update your waste balance, issue PERNs or submit reports if this section is incomplete. You are required to keep your own records of this information to ensure that you remain compliant with regulations, and you will need to provide it to your regulator if requested.
Section 4 - record unexported packaging waste sent on. Provide all the information in this section if any loads of packaging waste have been sent on to other reprocessors, exporters or facilities in the UK. This information is required for your monthly reporting.
Section 5 - provide supporting information for unexported waste sent on. You can still update your waste balance, issue PERNs or submit reports if this section is incomplete. You are required to keep your own records of this information to ensure that you remain compliant with regulations, and you will need to provide it to your regulator if requested.
When to complete each section
You need to complete sections 1 and 2 in full every month, and section 4 in every month in which it applies. This is because they form part of your monthly report.
Sections 3 and 5 help the regulators know that you’re compliant.
Regulators expect you to complete sections 3 and 5 on a routine basis, as it demonstrates your ongoing compliance with regulatory obligations. Completing sections 3 and 5 are not essential for updating the waste balance, issuing PERNs, or submitting reports.
Reporting loads by supplier
You need to use a separate row in the template for each separate load of waste you receive from each supplier on each date.
If you collect an entire load for export from one supplier site, the supplier name you enter in that row is the name of that load site.
If you collect waste from multiple suppliers and bulk up waste at your own site, list each supplier as separate rows in the summary log.
Accredited exporters: data field descriptions
Section 1: update your waste balance
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Date received for export | The date you received the waste for exporting. | Date |
| F | EWC code | A 6-digit code listed in the European Waste Catalogue (EWC). The EWC is a list of waste types which categorises waste based on a combination of what they are, and the process or activity that produces them. Read more in guidance on how to classify different types of waste. | Drop-down list |
| G | Description of waste received | The type and form of waste received for export. | Drop-down list |
| H | Were PRNs or PERNs issued on this waste before you received for export? | It is a condition of accreditation that if you receive waste from another accredited reprocessor or exporter that has already issued PRNs or PERNs on that waste, you cannot issue your own PRNs or PERNs on this waste. If you select ‘yes’, this load does not go into your waste balance. | Drop-down list: yes or no |
| I | Gross weight (Tonnes) | Total weight of the waste accepted for export for reprocessing outside the UK. Include the vehicle and or container weight if applicable. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| J | Tare weight (Tonnes) | Weight of vehicle, vessel, container or other method of transport when empty. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| K | Transit packaging weight (for example, pallet weight) (Tonnes) | The total weight of the pallet when not loaded with waste. Transit packaging is all the protective packaging used to keep waste safe during transportation, storage, and handling, for example, plastic wrap. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| L | Net weight (excluding tare, pallet and other transit packaging weight) (Tonnes, automatically calculated) | Tare weight and pallet weight are deducted from the gross weight. | Automatically calculated and cannot be edited |
| M | Baling wire protocol applied? (This is a deduction of 0.15%) | To confirm if baling wire protocol is applied. | Drop-down list: yes or no |
| N | How did you calculate the recyclable proportion? | Choose the option outlined in your approved sampling and inspection plan. | Drop-down list |
| O | Weight of non-target material and contaminants (Tonnes) | Weight of any material received in the load that is not the target material. The target material is the waste packaging category. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
| P | Recyclable proportion (percentage) | The percentage applied to calculate the recyclable proportion as outlined in your approved sampling and inspection plan. This percentage is applied to the net weight. | % value (0-100) |
| Q | Tonnage of UK packaging waste received for export (Automatically calculated) | Weight of the UK packaging waste received for export. | Automatically calculated and cannot be edited |
| R | Tonnage of UK packaging waste exported (Recyclable proportion only) | Net weight of the UK packaging waste exported. This refers to the weight of the waste while in the UK, not the weight when it arrives at the overseas reprocessor site. | Automatically calculated and cannot be edited |
| S | Date of export | The date waste was loaded at either your site, or a supplier site. | Date |
| T | Basel export code | The code from the list of Basel export codes that applies to the waste being exported. | Drop-down list |
| U | Customs code (HS code) | The Customs code is an internationally standardised system of names and numbers used to classify traded commodities. It’s essential for customs declarations, trade statistics, and determining duties and taxes. They are also known as HS (harmonized system) codes, tariff codes and commodity codes. You can find a commodity code for goods you’re importing to or exporting from the UK. | Number |
| V | Container or trailer number, or IMO vessel number if bulk shipment | Enter the relevant option for the way you export the waste. Container numbers are 4 letters followed by 7 numbers, for example ABCD 1234567. Trailer registration numbers are 1 letter followed by 7 numbers, for example A1234567. International Maritime Organisation (IMO) numbersare unique ship reference numbers. The format is IMO followed by 7 numbers, for example IMO 1234567. |
Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| W | Date received by approved overseas reprocessor | The date waste is received at the final overseas reprocessor’s site. | Date |
| X | Approved overseas reprocessor’s ID | 3-digit ID number of the business or organisation that accepted the waste exported from the UK for overseas reprocessing. This number will be generated by your regulator and provided to you on accreditation. | Free text |
| Y | Did you export the waste through an interim site? (If yes, provide information in the next two columns) | Whether the waste was exported through an interim site that may have carried out activities such as storage, sorting, bulking, cleaning or pre-processing before sending the material to the final destination for recycling. If waste was exported through an interim site, only the tonnage of packaging waste received at the final overseas reprocessing site will contribute to your waste balance. |
Drop-down list: yes or no |
| Z | Interim site ID (If applicable) | A 3-digit code that will be provided by the regulators during accreditation. | |
| AA | If exported through an interim site, tonnage of UK packaging waste received by overseas reprocessor | Weight of the recyclable proportion (the UK packaging waste content) of the waste received by the final overseas reprocessor, from exports through interim sites. | Tonnes, to 2 decimal points |
For row AA, if you exported waste through an interim site, you can only issue PERNs on the weight of the packaging waste received at that overseas site.
If the waste exported through the interim site originally came from multiple suppliers, it will be represented by multiple rows in the summary log. In this case, enter the total packaging waste received at the overseas site against one of those rows, and put ‘0’ in the others. Do not put the total waste received at the overseas site against all the relevant rows.
Section 2: prepare for your monthly reporting on exported waste
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| AD | Supplier name | Name of the business or organisation that supplied the waste. | Free text |
| AE | First line of supplier address | The first line of the address of the waste supplier. On the waste transfer note, this will be the ‘transferor’. | Free text |
| AF | Supplier postcode | The postcode of the waste supplier (source of waste). | Free text |
| AG | Supplier email | The email address of the waste supplier (source of waste). | Free text |
| AH | Supplier phone number | The telephone number of the waste supplier (source of waste). | Number |
| AI | Activities carried out by supplier on the packaging waste (For example, sorting) | List of activities carried out to ensure waste is handled responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations. For example, cleaning, sorting, baling, shredding and transporting. | Free text |
| AJ | Was the waste refused by the recipient destination? | It’s a legal requirement to report data about waste refused. Any waste refused by the overseas reprocessing site will not contribute to your waste balance. | Drop-down list: yes or no |
| AK | Was any waste stopped during the course of export? | Any waste stopped from onward movement by an authority on its export journey will not contribute to your waste balance. | Drop-down list: yes or no |
| AL | Date that the stopped or refused waste was repatriated | The date the repatriated waste arrived back in the UK. | Drop-down list: yes or no |
Section 3: provide supporting information for waste received and exported packaging waste
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | Your reference | Your internal reference identifier for each load receipt, for example, purchase order numbers. | Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| AP | Weighbridge ticket number or scales reference | A unique identifier to track and record the weight of vehicles and their loads. Enter the weighbridge ticket number or scales reference to show the packaging waste per supplier. If you export directly from a supplier’s site, enter the number or reference from the weighbridge. If you bulk up loads for export, enter the number or reference that shows each supplier’s load. |
Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| AQ | Waste Transfer Note or Hazardous Waste Consignment Note reference number | Waste Transfer Note reference numbers the transfer of non-hazardous waste. Hazardous Waste Consignment Note reference numbers track hazardous waste. | Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| AR | Loading site name (If different from supplier) | This is the company or site listed as the waste generator on the waste shipments paperwork (for example - Annex 7 Box 7). | Free text |
| AS | First line of loading site address | The first line of the address of the loading site. | Free text |
| AT | Loading site postcode | The postcode of the loading site. | Postcode |
| AU | Loading site email | The email address of the loading site. | Free text |
| AV | Loading site phone number | The telephone number of the loading site. | Number |
| AW | Carrier name | The business name of the first carrier in the export chain. This is the haulier that carries waste from the UK load site to a UK port. You can find this in section 5a of the Annex 7 form. | Free text |
| AX | Registration number of waste carrier, broker, CBD or ROC (If applicable) | The official registration number is a legal requirement for businesses that transport, buy, sell, or dispose of waste. The number is referred to differently in different nations. | Free text |
| AY | Vehicle registration of waste carrier on export documentation | The number plate of the vehicle that moves waste for export on the first leg of the journey – for example, from the load site to port. | Free text |
| AZ | Export controls | The export controls that apply to this shipment. You can select whether the packaging waste is subject to either Article 18 controls or notification. | Drop-down list |
| BA | Bill of lading reference number | A unique identifier assigned to a shipment’s bill of lading document. | Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| BB | Customs declaration form reference number | A unique 18-character identifier generated for each export declaration. It’s used to link goods to their specific declaration and track them through customs. This is also known as a movement reference number (MRN). | Only letters and numbers, maximum 20 characters |
| BC | Overseas reprocessor’s site name | The name of the final overseas reprocessor which receives the packaging waste for recycling. | Free text |
| BD | Approved overseas reprocessor’s country | The country that the final overseas reprocessing site is located in. | Drop-down list |
| BE | If not exported through an interim site, tonnage of UK packaging waste received by overseas reprocessor | The tonnage of waste received by the final overseas reprocessor | Metric system (tonnes) |
Section 4: record unexported packaging waste sent on
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Date load left site | The date waste left your ownership and was sent on to another reprocessor, exporter or facility in the UK. | Date |
| F | Tonnage of UK packaging waste sent on | Weight of UK packaging waste received for export for recycling, but which has not been exported and has been sent on to another facility in the UK. | Metric system (tonnes) |
| G | Final destination facility type | The description of the facility that accepts the waste sent on from the exporter. This could be a reprocessor, an exporter or another facility such as an incinerator or landfill site. | Drop-down list |
| H | Final destination facility name | Name of the business or organisation in the UK that the unexported waste went to. | Free text |
| I | First line of final destination facility address | The first line of the address of the facility that the unexported waste went to. | Free text |
| J | Final destination facility postcode | The postcode of the facility that the unexported waste went to. | Postcode |
Section 5: provide supporting information for unexported waste sent on
| Column | Data field | Description | Format required |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | Final destination facility email | The email address of the facility that the unexported waste went to. | Free text |
| M | Final destination facility phone number | The telephone number of the facility that the unexported waste went to. | Free text |
| N | Your reference | Your internal reference identifier for each load receipt, for example, purchase order numbers. | Free text |
| O | Description of waste sent on | A description of the type and form of waste sent on from your site. | Free text |
| P | EWC code | A 6-digit code listed in the European Waste Catalogue (EWC). The EWC is a list of waste types which categorises waste based on a combination of what they are, and the process or activity that produces them. Read more in guidance on how to classify different types of waste. | Free text |
| Q | Weighbridge ticket number or scales reference | A unique identifier to track and record the weight of vehicles and their loads. | Free text |