Receipt of Waste - Data Definitions

Are you a waste receiver or software provider and want to get involved? Sign up for our Digital Waste Tracking Service

These draft data definition tables describe the information we expect to be recorded by the future waste tracking service when a receiving site accepts or rejects waste.

They are a draft and may be updated to reflect changes to policy, legislation and feedback received from those in the waste industry.

Movement Details

Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
API Code	Mandatory	The waste receiver's unique 6-digit code.
Date/time received	Mandatory	This is the date and exact time waste was received at the site.
Your unique reference ID	Optional	For example, a weighbridge ticket number or waste transfer note number.
Other references	Optional	Other references for this movement.
Special handling requirement	Optional	Handling instructions for waste that has the potential to cause harm.
Reasons provided for not having a consignment number	Optional	Reasons provided for not having a consignment number.
Hazardous waste consignment code	Optional	Hazardous waste consginment code.
## Waste Items

Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
EWC code (could be multiple EWC codes for one load)	Mandatory	A 6-digit code that classifies and describes the waste.
Waste description	Mandatory	A detailed description of the waste, including physical characteristics, composition and if it’s potentially hazardous.
Physical form	Mandatory	For example, gas, liquid, solid, powder, sludge or mixed.

Number of containers	Mandatory	Not needed
Type of containers	Mandatory	For example, large industrial skips
Weight - unit of measurement	Mandatory	Weight unit of measurement (for example, kilograms, grams or tonnes)
Weight - amount	Mandatory	Not needed
Is the waste weight estimated?	Mandatory	Not needed
## POPs Data
Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	---------------------	----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does the waste contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?	Mandatory	POPs are poisonous chemical substances that break down slowly and get into food chains.
POP name	Optional	For example, Aldrin, Chlordane or Dieldrin.
POP concentration value	Optional	For example, 50mg per kg of Chlordane.
## Hazardous Waste data:
Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	---------------------	----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is the waste hazardous?	Mandatory	Hazardous waste is any waste that is potentially harmful to human health or the environment.
Hazardous property codes (Haz code)	Optional	A code used to classify hazardous waste, for example HP 1 (Explosive waste) or HP 2 (Oxidising waste).
Chemical or biological component	Optional	For example, Mercury.
Component concentration value	Optional	For example, 30mg per kg.
## Disposal or Recovery Codes:
Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	---------------------	----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disposal / recovery code	Mandatory	A code that determines the most appropriate treatment and recovery option for your waste. For each EWC code there must be at least one D or R code.
Weight - unit of measurement	Mandatory	Weight unit of measurement (for example, kilograms, grams or tonnes).
Weight - amount	Mandatory	Total weight of waste for disposal or recovery code
Is the waste weight estimated?	Mandatory	Is the weight estimated?

Carrier Details

Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
Carrier registration number	Mandatory	Required for all businesses and organisations that transport, buy, sell or dispose of waste.
If Carrier registration number not applicable, give reason(s)	Mandatory	Provide reasons for not having the carrier registration number
Carrier organisation name	Mandatory	Not needed
Carrier address	Optional	Not needed
Carrier post code	Optional	Not needed
Carrier contact email address	Optional	Not needed
Carrier contact phone number	Optional	Not needed
Vehicle registration number	Optional	Not needed
Means of transport	Mandatory	For example, road, rail, air or sea.

Broker or Dealer Details

Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
Broker or dealer organisation name	Optional	Not needed
Broker or dealer address	Optional	Not needed
Broker or dealer post code	Optional	Not needed
Broker or dealer email	Optional	Not needed
Broker or dealer phone number	Optional	Not needed
Broker or dealer registration number	Optional	Not needed

Waste Receiver Details

Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
Receiver site name	Optional	Not needed
Receiver email	Optional	Not needed
Receiver phone number	Optional	Not needed
Receiver’s authorisation number	Mandatory	A permit or exemption number that allows a site to accept waste for recovery or disposal.
Regulatory position statement	Optional	A statement that confirms what activities you do not require a permit for.

Receipt

Data field	Mandatory or optional	Description
Receipt address	Mandatory	Not needed
Receipt post code	Mandatory	Not needed

Changelog

You can find the changelog for this document in the Receipt API v1.0 Data Definitions GitHub wiki.

Page last updated on March 6th 2026.