what is a waste transfer note?
waste wise by recyclapak
What Is a Waste Transfer Note and Why Is It Important?
If your business produces waste, you’ve probably heard the term Waste Transfer Note (WTN). But what exactly is it, why do you need one, and what should you do with it?
Understanding waste transfer notes is an important part of managing your business waste responsibly and meeting your legal responsibilities. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Waste Transfer Note?
A Waste Transfer Note is a legal document that records the transfer of non-hazardous waste from one party to another.
It provides a clear record of what waste has been transferred, who transferred it, who received it and when the transfer took place.
The purpose of a Waste Transfer Note is to help ensure waste is handled responsibly and can be tracked throughout the waste management process.
Why Are Waste Transfer Notes Important?
Waste transfer notes help demonstrate that your business is managing its waste responsibly and meeting its legal duty of care.
They provide an important record of your waste movements and may be requested by regulators if they need to verify how your waste has been managed.
Keeping accurate records also gives businesses greater confidence that their waste has been transferred to an authorised waste carrier.
What Information Does a Waste Transfer Note Include?
A Waste Transfer Note will typically include details such as:
* A description of the waste being transferred
* The quantity of waste
* How the waste is contained (for example, loose, bagged or in a container)
* The date of the transfer
* The details of the business transferring the waste
* The details of the authorised waste carrier receiving the waste
* Confirmation that the waste has been transferred in accordance with legal requirements
How Long Should You Keep a Waste Transfer Note?
For most non-hazardous waste, businesses should keep Waste Transfer Notes for at least two years.
Keeping your records organised makes it much easier if you ever need to refer back to previous collections or provide evidence that your waste has been managed correctly.
(Hazardous waste has different documentation requirements and retention periods.)
Can Waste Transfer Notes Be Digital?
Yes. From October 2026, your registered waste carrier must provide digital Waste Transfer Notes.
Many businesses now choose to store waste transfer documentation electronically, making it quicker and easier to access when needed.
At Recyclapak, customers using our platform will soon be able to download Waste Transfer Notes for their recyclable material collections directly through their secure online login.
Having this information available in one place makes it easier to manage records, prepare internal reports and access documentation whenever it’s needed.
How Recyclapak Can Help
Managing waste paperwork doesn’t have to be complicated.
At Recyclapak, we work with businesses to provide practical, compliant waste management and recycling solutions, while making important documentation as accessible as possible.
Whether you’re looking for trade waste services, recycling collections, food waste collections or specialist waste management, our team can help you find a solution tailored to your business.
For customers using our recyclable material collection services, our digital platform provides convenient access to your Waste Transfer Notes and recycling data, helping you stay organised and informed.
Waste Wise Tip
Create a simple digital filing system for your waste documentation.
Even if your records are available online, it’s good practice to ensure the relevant people within your business know where to find Waste Transfer Notes when they’re needed for audits, environmental reporting or compliance checks.
Need Advice?
If you’d like to learn more about Waste Transfer Notes, your legal responsibilities or how Recyclapak can support your waste management and recycling requirements, we’d be happy to help.
Get in touch with the Recyclapak team today to discuss your business waste needs.