Waste and resources
Mandatory digital waste tracking
Digital waste tracking replaces paper records with a single UK-wide digital service. In the first phase, operators of permitted and licensed sites that receive waste...
Environmental compliance for waste and recycling businesses
Waste businesses are regulated end to end: environmental permits or registered exemptions for sites, carrier, broker and dealer registration (moving to permits in England from July 2027), mandatory digital waste tracking from October 2026, hazardous waste consignment and consignee returns, and landfill tax.
Not sure which apply? Use the compliance checker or ask for a free review.
Guides most relevant to waste and recycling
Permits, air and water
Environmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs
An environmental permit is the legal authorisation you need before running an activity that could pollute air, water or land, such as an industrial installation, a...
Waste and resources
Hazardous waste: classification, consignment notes and returns
Hazardous waste (called special waste in Scotland) includes oils, solvents, paints, batteries, fluorescent tubes, asbestos, many chemicals and contaminated...
Reporting and management systems
ISO 14001:2026 environmental management systems
ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems (EMS). The revised ISO 14001:2026 was published on 15 April 2026 and strengthens...
Energy and carbon
UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
The UK ETS is a cap-and-trade scheme covering power generation, energy-intensive industry with combustion plant over 20 MW, aviation and, since 1 July 2026, ships of...
Waste and resources
Waste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits)
Anyone who transports waste as part of their business, arranges for waste to be moved (a broker) or buys and sells waste (a dealer) must be registered with the...
Waste and resources
Waste exemptions: when you can operate without a permit
A waste exemption lets you carry out a small-scale, low-risk waste operation without an environmental permit, provided you register it and stay within its limits. In...
Other sectors: Manufacturing, Construction and property, Food and drink, Retail and e-commerce, Logistics and transport, Chemicals, Hospitality, Professional services.