Report receipt of waste
From October 2026 (January 2027 in Northern Ireland and Scotland), all organisations that are licensed or permitted to receive waste must use the new report receipt of waste service.
Check if you need to use the service
Before you start, you should check if you need to report the waste you receive through this service. This outlines:
- who must report waste
- what information you must submit
- when you must submit information
- information you must submit outside of the service
- what to do if there are errors in your report
How to access the service
The first time you use the service, you will be asked to create a Defra account.
To create a Defra account, you will need to either:
- log in to your organisation’s Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login account
- create a Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login account, if your organisation does not have one
You can do this within the service.
You must not use a personal Government Gateway account for this service – always use your organisation’s account.
After you’ve created your Defra account, you will use your organisation’s Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login account each time you log into the service.
Sending your data
There are 2 ways you can report your receipt of waste:
- Using an application programming interface (API).
- Completing and uploading a spreadsheet.
You do not have to choose one method – you can submit your data using a combination of the API and spreadsheet.
Using an application programming interface (API)
An API allows different software systems to connect to each other so they can securely exchange data.
Connect your waste software to the API
If you want to use the API, your organisation must have waste specific software. Your software provider will need to connect it to Defra’s Receipt of Waste API. See the list of compatible software providers.
There is more information about using and connecting the API in the software developer guidance.
Receiving your API code
Once you have registered your organisation, you will be given a unique API code. Give this code to your software provider who will apply it to your waste movements.
You can use the same API code to send waste movements for every site your organisation operates.
If you have more than one organisation on your Defra account, you will receive a unique API code for each one.
Spreadsheet
If you do not have the software needed to use the API, you can send your data using Defra’s receipt of waste template spreadsheet.
You will need to:
- Download the spreadsheet template.
- Complete the mandatory data fields.
- Upload the completed spreadsheet.
You cannot use your own spreadsheet or make format changes to Defra’s version.
You can add multiple movements to the same spreadsheet before you submit it. After you submit it, you will need to use a new spreadsheet for your next submission.
If your organisation operates more than one site, you can also add those movements to the same spreadsheet.
If you operate multiple organisations, you will need to download a separate spreadsheet for each one.
Adding organisations to your account
If you operate more than one organisation that receives waste (for example a subsidiary business or partnership), you can add them to the same Defra account.
You will need to register each organisation separately before adding them to your account. The annual service charge will apply to each organisation you add.
How much it will cost
The annual service charge is not due until October 2026. It will cost £26 per year for each organisation on your account.
The fee applies to the number of organisations. It does not apply to the number of waste-receiving sites that organisation has.
Get help
Contact the support team
Contact the support team if you have any questions about the service or if you are having problems using it.
Telephone: 03000 203 781
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (except public holidays)
Find out about call charges
Contact a regulator
If you have a question about waste regulation, contact your regulator.
- in England, contact the Environment Agency
- in Northern Ireland, contact the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
- in Scotland, contact the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- in Wales, contact Natural Resources Wales
Updates to this page
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Added a link to guidance on checking if you need to use the 'Report receipt of waste' service. Removed the instruction that local authorities should not register for the service – they can now use the service. Under 'Sending your data', clarified you can add multiple movements to one spreadsheet, but you need to start a new spreadsheet once you have submitted it.
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Added a link to the list of compatible software providers who can connect your waste software to the API, under 'Sending your data'.
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A link to the receipt of waste spreadsheet has been added.
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Added translation