Samsara has created ready-to-use forms to ensure companies are ready for the introduction of the government’s Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) mandate, which is due to be introduced next year. 

The DEFRA-led mandate requires businesses that handle waste to transition from traditional paper-based records to digital systems for tracking and managing waste. 

“Our vision is to make it easy to track waste and resources in real time throughout the economy,” the Government confirmed in February 2025. “Our mission is to deliver a waste tracking service that is simple to use and provides value for all users.

Although there had been some speculation around the introduction of the new regulation, the government has confirmed the mandate will go live in April 2026 giving businesses time to adjust to the rules.  

Under the mandate, companies will need to ensure that digital records can be shared seamlessly across the supply chain and eventually synchronised with DEFRA’s systems for regulatory compliance.

Digital tracking of waste 

The aim is to create a more accurate, transparent, and traceable system for waste management in a bid to reduce errors, misreporting, and the likelihood of illegal dumping or contamination.

The legislation covers controlled waste – including both hazardous and non-hazardous household, commercial, and industrial waste – as well as waste extracted from sites such as mines and quarries. 

For example, it might include materials like concrete, bricks, metals, and timber generated during construction, repair, or demolition projects. It would also apply to aggregates and asphalt that can be reclaimed and reused in road construction or other infrastructure projects. 

To help firms manage the transition, Samsara has already created a template as part of its Digital Forms app that meets the new regulations. Not only can it be easily customised, creating new forms for this – or any other area of compliance – is a quick and simple task.

Samsara template makes firms compliant with new rules

“Samsara's digital forms provide businesses with a straightforward and scalable solution to achieve compliance with DEFRA's new Digital Waste Mandate,” said Jonathan Ramsey, Senior Solutions Marketing Manager, EMEA, at Samsara. 

“By enabling companies to replicate their existing paper-based forms digitally, Samsara eliminates the need for double entry and reduces errors in data collection. Our intuitive platform allows drivers to capture accurate waste data – such as what was collected, processed, and delivered – directly in the field, creating a clear audit trail for compliance. 

“With customisable templates and connected workflows, businesses can easily align with the mandate's requirements while improving operational efficiency and preparing for future integration with DEFRA's systems,” he said. 

Samsara’s intuitive digital workflows and forms are set to make compliance with DEFRA’s new mandate simple for businesses.

DWT compliance “incredibly straightforward” 

One firm that is already working towards becoming compliant with the new legislation is FM Conway, a UK-based family-run civil engineering contractor specialising in highways and other infrastructure work. As part of its everyday operations, it has to deal with excavated material from roadworks, such as soil, rubble, and asphalt, which needs to be transported, processed, disposed of, and/or recycled.

It knows that manual, paper-based processes to record such waste would not be suitable once the new legislation comes into force. It’s one of a number of reasons why the business has set about digitising its operations. 

"We believe that Samsara’s connected workflows could make compliance with the new Digital Waste Tracking Mandate incredibly straightforward for us,” explained Dave Boorman, Fleet Telematics BAU Manager at FM Conway.

“Digitising our processes could be easier than we anticipated. Our drivers would have the ability to capture accurate waste data directly in the field, and an intuitive platform would eliminate the need for manual entry and paperwork. 

“It’s not just about meeting the legislation – it’s about streamlining our operations and setting ourselves up for future efficiency," he said.