Recording UK packaging waste in summary logs: supplementary guidance
Published 11 November 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 1 template available: accredited reprocessors issuing packaging recycling notes (PRNs) on packaging waste received for recycling at a reprocessing site (or ‘on input’).
This template is an example only and illustrates the type of information you will need to provide. Do not use it 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.
Template sections: accredited reprocessors issuing on packaging waste received
There are 7 sections in the summary log template for accredited reprocessors and exporters 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.
Data field descriptions: accredited reprocessor issuing on packaging waste received
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 |