Summary logs for UK packaging waste: an overview
An introduction to the summary logs that reprocessors and exporters need to use to record packaging waste activity under extended producer responsibility for packaging requirements.
What summary logs are
Reprocessors and exporters need to use summary logs to record data about packaging waste received or exported for recycling. Summary logs are spreadsheets that you need to complete for each registration or accreditation that you hold.
Purpose
Summary logs help you capture some of the data required under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. It is a condition of registration and accreditation. Read more about the reporting requirements.
For operators with accredited materials, summary logs are the method by which you upload this data to the ‘Record reprocessed or exported packaging waste’ service. Once uploaded, the data you provide in your summary log will be used to calculate your waste balance. You will use the waste balance to issue packaging recycling notes (PRNs) and packaging waste export recycling notes (PERNs). Completing summary logs is a condition of accreditation.
For operators with registered-only materials, summary logs support you to record the data you are required to report.
For regulators, summary logs give them more data to help them target fraud and error, protecting the interests of legitimate industry.
When to update them
Operators with accredited materials
At a minimum you need to update the log at least once a month, once you can include all the data for the previous month. This is so you can submit your monthly report by the 21st day of every month with the data for the previous month.
For example, you first need to submit your summary log by 21 February 2026. It must include the data for January 2026.
You could update the summary log multiple times during January and February, or just once between 1 and 21 February, as long as it includes all of the January data by 21 February.
Operators with materials that are registered only
At a minimum registered operators need to update the log at least quarterly, once you can include all the data for the quarter. This is so you can submit your quarterly report before the 21st day of the month following the end of the quarter.
Updating your summary log regularly
You can update the log more often than the minimum reporting requirements if you prefer. Operators with accredited materials may prefer to do so to keep the waste balance up to date.
Each time you update the log, edit and re-upload the same spreadsheet. Do not start a new spreadsheet each month.
Do not delete any existing data from the spreadsheet as this could affect the accuracy of data you previously submitted and, for accredited operators, your waste balance.
You can edit information you previously submitted in the log. If you edit information submitted in a previous reporting period, you need to resubmit that monthly report.
When updating the log throughout the month, you should partially complete lines and then update them later. For example, you could input exports when the waste is loaded for export at a UK site and then return later to add the date it’s received at an overseas site – at which point you can issue a PERN against the export. When submitting monthly reports using summary log data, regulators expect that some lines will show waste leaving the UK site but having not yet arrived at the overseas site.
Submitting nil returns
If you did not reprocess or export any packaging waste for a month, you still need to submit a blank summary log to the service.
Downloading and setting up your summary log template
Choose the template you need
There are summary log templates for all types of operating activity. You must use the templates provided.
You need to use the correct one for your operating activity. Complete a new spreadsheet for each registration or accreditation you have.
If you are accredited for a material, you will also be registered for it. Complete an accredited summary log in this case. You only need to complete a registered template if you do not have an accompanying accreditation.
You can download the summary log templates.
Technical information
You must:
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use a Microsoft Excel version from 2007 onwards
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save the template as an XLSX file
We recommend using the desktop version of Excel.
Keep a back-up copy of the document so you do not lose your data if there are any problems with the file.
If you have technical issues with your summary log, contact the EPR helpdesk.
Data security
Read the Extended producer responsibility for packaging privacy notice to see how the regulators can use the data you submit through your summary log.
Set up the summary log template
You must enter the information requested on the cover sheet for the template to work.
If you do not select the material, some of the drop-down lists will not work.
If you do not enter your registration and accreditation number (as applicable), you will not be able to upload the template to the reprocessors and exporters service as required.
Entering your data
Anyone can fill in and upload the summary logs for your organisation.
Filling in the summary log template
Fill in a new row for each load and do not delete existing data.
Each row starts with a pre-populated reference for that load – do not change this.
Parts of the templates are locked to stop you from changing the structure or format.
Enter data in the format provided, or you will not be able to upload the summary log. If you copy and paste into the template, first make sure the data you paste in matches the formatting required by the relevant cell.
You can use the 2 blank sheets provided for any personal calculations, look-up tables or other functions that improve your workflow.
The templates have a limit of 15,000 rows. If you need to enter more rows than this, contact EPRCustomerService@defra.gov.uk.
Data definitions
Read supplementary guidance on filling in the summary log to help you understand what is required and how to enter your data.
Entering single waste streams
Operators with accredited materials need to report each load as a separate line
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 or receive an entire load from one supplier site, the supplier name you enter in that row is the name of that load site.
If you collect or receive waste from multiple suppliers and bulk up waste at your own site, list each supplier as separate rows in the summary log.
Operators with registered-only materials can aggregate data by supplier and role
For example, rather than entering each load as a separate row, you could have one row that covers all the loads from one supplier organisation per month.
You cannot aggregate across multiple months, or across reporting periods.
Entering mixed-waste loads of the same material category
If your approved sampling and inspection plan allows you to receive mixed loads of the same material category, and you use any nationally agreed protocols, agency agreed industry grades (AAIGs) or site-specific protocols, enter a separate row for each protocol.
For example, use separate rows for:
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paper meeting EN643 codes 1.01 and 1.02 for the national protocol
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paper meeting code 1.04.01 for an AAIG
If you do not use any protocols or none apply and you receive mixed loads where multiple waste descriptions could apply, record each waste description on a separate row. For example, plastic film and plastic bottles would go on separate lines.
If you’re an exporter and you pre-sort mixed waste loads before you export the packaging waste, you need to enter each waste type on separate lines in the summary log.
If you have a registered-only material and you have mixed loads, you can aggregate the data by supplier and by the waste description.
Making waste adjustments
If you realise you have made an error but have already uploaded your summary log to the ‘Record reprocessed or exported packaging waste’ service, you can amend the relevant row and re-upload the summary log.
Uploading your summary log to the service
Upload your summary log to the ‘Record reprocessed or exported packaging waste’ service.
The service will validate that your summary log is the correct file type and that you have entered the data correctly. It will check some of the information you have entered.
For accredited operators, it will show how your waste balance will be updated so you can check for errors. Once you’ve submitted your summary log, it will confirm your updated waste balance.
Accessing the service
If you are accredited for 2026, you will have been invited to access the service via an email invitation link.
If you are registered but not accredited, you cannot yet upload your summary log to the service. You will receive an invitation shortly.
Get help and give feedback
If you have questions and feedback on the summary log, contact your regulator.
Find information on call charges.
England
Environment Agency
Email: packaging@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Wales
Natural Resources Wales
Email: packaging@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 065 3000
Scotland
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Email: producer.responsibility@sepa.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 099 6699
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Email: repandexp@daera-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: 028 9056 9338
Questions about the ‘Record reprocessed or exported packaging waste’ service
Email: EPRCustomerService@defra.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 060 0002
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm
Updates to this page
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Added information to support the publication of the registered-only summary log templates. Clarified the position on submitting nil returns, making waste adjustments, and entering single waste streams and mixed-waste loads of the same material category.
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Registered and accredited operators for 2026 can now access the service to upload summary logs. They can access the service via an email invitation link that will be sent once their applications are approved.
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There are now 3 templates that are now unlikely to change significantly over the year.
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Clarified technical points to set up the template, reflected that there are now 2 summary log templates available, linked to the privacy notice to explain how data submitted as part of the summary logs is handled, and updated the email address for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency
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First published.