You must complete a waste transfer note (WTN) for every load of waste you pass to others.
A WTN shows carriers and site operators who handle your waste what they are dealing with so that they can manage it safely and legally.
WTNs also ensure there is a clear audit trail from when the waste is produced until it is disposed of.
You must keep copies of all your WTNs for at least two years and be able to produce them on demand to your environmental regulator or local council, or you could be fined.
You must check that anyone you pass your waste to holds the relevant registration, licence or exemption for the type of waste you pass to them.
Who is allowed to deal with your waste?
What is a waste transfer note?
A WTN is a document that details the transfer of waste from one person to another.
Every transfer of waste must be covered by a WTN. There is no standard WTN. Many waste carriers produce their own versions. You can download and use this example WTN.
Example Waste Transfer Note (Adobe PDF – 29KB)
What information should a waste transfer note contain?
A WTN must be completed and signed by both the person sending the waste and the person collecting it. It must contain enough information about the waste so it can be handled safely and either recovered or disposed of legally. It must include an accurate description of the waste and any processes the waste has been though. If you don’t give enough information and your waste is mismanaged as a result, you could be prosecuted.
The information on the WTN must include:
- a description of the waste
- how the waste is contained or packaged
- the quantity of the waste
- the place, date and time of transfer
- the name and address of both parties
- details of the permit, licence or exemption of the person receiving the waste
- the appropriate European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code for your waste.
The European Waste Catalogue (EWC) codes classify waste materials by what they are and how they are produced. This is sometimes called the list of wastes code. The codes are the same across the UK.
Environment Agency: Consolidated version of the European Waste Catalogue (Adobe PDF - 162KB)
Waste transfer note season tickets
For repeat transfers you can use a 'season ticket’. This is a single transfer note that can cover multiple transfers over a period of up to 12 months.
You can agree to use a season ticket if all of the following stay the same:
- the parties involved in the transfer (the waste producer and the waste carrier or waste disposal business)
- the description of the waste being transferred
- the place which the waste is transferred from one person to the other.
You should estimate the total weight of waste over the 12 month period on the waste transfer note (season ticket).
If any of these conditions change, you will need to write a new waste transfer note.
Who should complete the waste transfer note?
A WTN is a joint document between two parties involved in the transfer of the waste. You should never rely on waste carriers or waste management contractors to describe your waste for you. As the producer, you are most able to describe your waste accurately. It is not acceptable to use non-specific terms, for example 'general waste', ‘muckaway’ or 'inert waste'.
Both you and the waste carrier must sign the WTN before the waste leaves your site. If you transport waste yourself, you and the site operator must complete and sign the WTN.
You must keep copies of all WTNs for at least two years.
Waste carriers, brokers and dealers
Carry out periodic checks (audits) to help you to ensure that your waste is handled correctly from when it leaves your premises to the final point of recovery or disposal. This will also help you to prove that you are complying with your duty of care.
Electronic waste transfer notes
The Environment Agency is currently trialing electronic waste transfer notes in south-east England.
Environment Agency: electronic waste tracking system
Hazardous/special waste transfer documents
If your waste has hazardous properties, you must treat it as hazardous waste. This is called special waste in Scotland. The transfer document for hazardous/special waste is called a consignment note. You will need to complete a consignment note to comply with your duty of care.
The consignment note must contain similar information to a WTN. You do not need to produce a separate WTN for hazardous/special waste.
Moving and transporting hazardous waste
Moving and transporting special waste
The consignment note must include the correct code from the European Waste Catalogue for the type or types of material that you are disposing of.
Environment Agency: Consolidated version of the European Waste Catalogue (Adobe PDF - 162KB)
Environment Agency: European Waste Catalogue
You can only send hazardous/special waste to waste treatment facilities that are authorised to take it.
You must ensure that waste that you produce irregularly (for example redundant materials, waste from cleaning up spills) is declared on waste transfer notes. Some of this may have to be handled as hazardous/special waste.
Hazardous / special waste
In this guideline:
What is the duty of care?
Who is allowed to deal with your waste?
Records for transferring waste - waste transfer notes
Storing waste
Transporting and disposing of waste
Duty of care further information
Duty of care legislation
