Digital Waste Tracking - what it means for our customers

The way waste is recorded and tracked in England and Wales is changing. From 1st October 2026, new Digital Waste Tracking were introduced for permitted and licensed waste sites, like Mellor Metals, across England and Wales.



The new government system is designed to improve how waste is tracked, creating a clearer digital record of where waste comes from, who handles it and where it ultimately ends up.

For businesses and individuals using Mellor Metals, our service will continue as normal, but there will be some changes to the way information about the scrap metal we receive is recorded and reported.

What does this mean when you use Mellor Metals?

For most customers, there will be no major change. You will still be able to bring scrap metal to us as you do now.

What will become more important is making sure the correct information is available about the waste being transferred.

If you're disposing of scrap metal on behalf of a business, for example, we may need to ensure we have complete and accurate information about the material, its origin and the person or business responsible for transporting it before we can complete our reporting.

Having the right information ready will help us process your waste efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

Does your business need a Waste Carrier Registration?

Businesses producing waste, including scrap metal, should also take this opportunity to review their responsibilities and check whether they require a Waste Carrier Registration.

If your business transports its own waste, including scrap metal generated through its activities, you will generally need to be registered as a waste carrier. This applies even where transporting waste is not your main business activity.

Depending on the nature of your business and the waste being transported, you may qualify for an upper-tier or lower-tier registration.

Businesses should check their requirements with the Environment Agency to ensure they are operating legally and meeting their waste duty of care obligations.

You can check whether your business needs to register through the government's website.

Benefits for businesses

For businesses, the new system also brings benefits. Greater digital traceability should provide a clearer record that your waste has been transferred to an appropriately licensed facility and handled through a legitimate waste chain, helping you demonstrate that you're meeting your own waste duty of care responsibilities.

Preparing for Digital Waste Tracking

We're continuing to adapt our systems to meet the new Digital Waste Tracking requirements and make the transition as straightforward as possible for our customers.

We'll keep customers updated on any additional information we require when scrap metal is delivered to our site.

If you're unsure whether the new Digital Waste Tracking requirements will affect the way you use our services, speak to the Mellor Metals team and we'll be happy to explain what you'll need.