Waste transfer note software, explained
A waste transfer note, or WTN, is the legal record that travels with a load of non-hazardous waste. Every load that moves between two UK businesses needs one. Waste transfer note software produces that record digitally instead of on paper, and submits it to the government where required.
What has to be on a WTN
The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 set out what every waste transfer note must record: a description of the waste, the EWC code, the quantity, the vehicle registration, the carrier details, and the receiving site. Get any of it wrong and the note is not compliant.
Why paper is going away
From October 2026, permitted waste receiving sites in England and Wales have to record each load digitally and submit it to the Digital Waste Tracking Service. Scotland and Northern Ireland follow in January 2027. Paper notes are no longer enough on their own.
What the software has to do
Whatever you choose, it needs to handle the basics:
- Record each load within two working days.
- Capture the EWC code and check it is right.
- Check the carrier registration against the official register.
- Capture digital signatures from the producer, carrier and receiver.
- Submit the record to DEFRA.
LoadLog does all of it, submitting each record straight to DEFRA with an automatic retry if a submission fails.
Is it free?
There is a free tier for up to 5 WTNs a month, which suits testing and very low volumes. The paid plan starts at £12 a month, and Compliance Lite is free until the end of 2026 for anyone who signs up before October.
LoadLog produces the waste transfer note digitally and submits it to DEFRA, just like digital waste tracking software. The two terms describe the same job — see how LoadLog compares on digital waste tracking.