What’s changing

Beginning in October 2026, waste-receiving sites that hold environmental permits or licenses will be required to record waste movements through the new Digital Waste Tracking Service. A “movement” refers to any instance where waste changes hands—this includes collection, transfer, or treatment. Following the initial phase, we’ll gradually integrate other participants in the waste management chain, including producers, carriers, and brokers. While there will be a few exceptions, like household waste collected by local authorities, most commercial waste streams will be included.

What this means for Circulai customers

If you’re already using Circulai to manage your waste services, congratulations! You’re part of a connected ecosystem. However, with the introduction of digital tracking comes new responsibilities for everyone involved in the process. Here’s how you can start preparing:

Get ready for enhanced data collection

You’ll need to record accurate details for every waste stream, including:

• Waste type and description
• Quantity or weight
• Collection and destination points
• Carrier and receiving site details

Even before it becomes mandatory, it’s wise to start adopting digital record-keeping so your data is clean and ready for upload when the system goes live.

Clarify roles and responsibilities

The Digital Waste Tracking rules define who enters information into the system — often the person arranging the waste movement. Circulai will work with you to confirm who’s responsible for data entry in your contracts or service proposals.

This clarity ensures a smooth process and avoids any compliance gaps.

Be audit-ready

The goal of DWT is to make every waste journey transparent. That means regulators will be able to trace movements and spot inconsistencies quickly.

To protect your business:

• Make sure every carrier and receiving site you use is registered and compliant.
• Keep digital records that prove where your waste went and who handled it.

Circulai’s compliance tools and supplier checks make this simple and secure.

Review your internal processes

If paper Waste Transfer Notes or hazardous consignment notes are still part of your operations, now is a fantastic time to modernise! Transitioning to digital will affect how you log collections, store records, and share data. We’re here to assist you in ensuring your systems and reporting tools integrate seamlessly with the DWT platform or compatible software.

Plan ahead — don’t wait for 2026

The first phase begins in October 2026, but waiting until then is risky. Early preparation means smoother onboarding, cleaner data, and less disruption to operations.

Treat this as an opportunity to modernise your compliance processes — not a last-minute scramble.

How Circulai can help

Circulai is already preparing for Digital Waste Tracking — and we’ll guide our customers every step of the way. Here’s what we recommend doing now:

• Map your waste chain.  Identify all parties involved in collecting, carrying, and receiving your waste.
• Check compliance. Ensure everyone in your chain — including carriers and treatment sites — is authorised and ready for digital reporting.
• Clarify responsibilities. We’ll help you confirm who’s entering data into the system (you, Circulai, or your carrier).
• Start digital. Switch from paper to digital notes now for a head start.
• Stay informed. Circulai will share updates, templates, and reporting tools as the rollout continues.

Think value, not just compliance. Digital tracking is not just about meeting standards; it offers better data, clearer audit trails, and stronger sustainability reporting—all of which will enhance your environmental credentials.

In summary

Digital Waste Tracking is coming, and Circulai customers are in a strong position to benefit. With our proactive support, compliant partnerships, and smart reporting systems, we’ll ensure your transition to digital is smooth, efficient, and fully compliant.

Be prepared

Start planning your digital waste tracking readiness today, speak to your Circulai account manager or contact us at info@circulai.co.uk

Clarity & Expertise

“They bring with them incredible clarity and technical expertise… translating complex systems into practical steps.”

Making waste and compliance feel simple — that’s a core part of what Circulai offers. Clients rely on us to break through complexity with clean, confident solutions.

Purpose-Driven Service

“They reflect the kind of values the industry needs more of — smart, honest and purpose-driven.”

It’s not just what we do — it’s how we do it. Our team is united by a clear purpose: to support smarter, more sustainable ways of working, across every sector.

Tailored Support That Moves the Needle

“Genuinely focused on delivering meaningful, tailored solutions… their support and responsiveness made a real difference.”

Every organisation is different — which is why we listen closely and deliver practical support that fits, fast.

Conclusion:

Whether you’re looking to tackle food waste, comply with new regulations like Simpler Recycling, or bring structure to your digital waste reporting, Circulai brings a fresh, expert-led approach to the table.

• The Complexity of the Tendering Process One of the biggest hurdles SMEs and ethnic minority-owned businesses face is the highly complex and resource-intensive tendering process. Public sector contracts often come with lengthy and complicated application procedures, requiring significant financial and administrative expertise. Larger firms have entire teams dedicated to bid writing, while SMEs frequently lack the in-house resources to navigate these processes effectively.
• Lack of Access to Information and Networks Many SMEs and minority-run businesses are unaware of the available opportunities or struggle to find relevant tenders. Information about procurement opportunities is often scattered across multiple platforms, making it difficult for smaller businesses to identify relevant contracts. Additionally, networking and relationship-building play a significant role in winning public contracts, but minority-led businesses may not have the same access to influential industry circles as their larger competitors.
• The Challenge of Meeting Pre-Qualification Criteria Public sector tenders frequently require businesses to demonstrate extensive track records, financial stability, and compliance with strict regulatory requirements. This puts newer and smaller firms at a disadvantage, as they may not have the years of experience or the financial reserves required to meet these criteria, even if they are perfectly capable of delivering high-quality services.
• Implicit Bias and Lack of Diversity in Procurement Although the government has set diversity targets, the reality is that many procurement processes still lack inclusivity. There is often an unconscious preference for larger, more established suppliers with whom procurement officers feel comfortable. Additionally, procurement teams themselves may not reflect the diversity of the businesses they are evaluating, leading to systemic barriers for ethnic minority entrepreneurs.
• Late Payments and Cash Flow Struggles Another major challenge for SMEs is cash flow management. Public sector contracts often involve long payment terms, sometimes exceeding 60 to 90 days. For smaller businesses that rely on steady cash flow to survive, such delays can be crippling. While government initiatives like the Prompt Payment Code exist, adherence is inconsistent, leaving many small businesses struggling to balance their finances while delivering on contracts.
• Limited Government Support and Advocacy While government policies express support for SMEs and minority-led businesses, many entrepreneurs feel that actual support mechanisms are lacking. Training, mentoring, and funding programmes are often inaccessible or insufficiently promoted. Without proper advocacy and targeted support, the barriers to entry remain high for smaller businesses trying to enter the public procurement space.

Solutions for a More Inclusive Procurement Process To address these challenges, the government and public sector bodies must take proactive steps to make procurement more inclusive and SME-friendly:

• Simplify the tendering process: Reducing administrative burdens and creating a more SME-friendly application system would encourage more businesses to participate.
• Improve outreach and support: Providing clear, centralised access to tendering opportunities and offering targeted training for SMEs and minority-run businesses can help bridge the knowledge gap.
• Revise qualification criteria: Adjusting criteria to recognise potential and innovation rather than just financial history and experience would level the playing field.
• Promote diversity in procurement teams: Ensuring procurement decision-makers reflect diverse backgrounds can help eliminate bias in supplier selection.
• Enforce fair payment terms: Strengthening policies around prompt payments can prevent SMEs from suffering financially when working on public contracts.

Conclusion While the UK government has set ambitious goals for supporting SMEs and ethnic minority-led businesses, real change requires more than just policy statements. By removing barriers and creating a genuinely inclusive procurement process, the public sector can unlock the full potential of diverse businesses, drive innovation, and promote economic growth. It’s time for action, not just promises.

Circulai’s Commitment

Circulai is committed to addressing this critical issue by providing a comprehensive male incontinence service nationally. We believe in the importance of offering proper facilities in male washrooms to help alleviate the challenges men face with incontinence. Our service aims to promote dignity, reduce anxiety, and improve the quality of life for men across the UK.

Call to Action

We urge all companies to take a proactive stance in supporting male incontinence services in public washrooms. By doing so, we can help reduce the stigma, improve mental health, and enhance social inclusion for those affected.

“We are proud to be working hand in hand with a company as innovative as Circulai in our efforts to solve the world’s waste problem and create a sustainable future,” said Mert Barutçu, CSO and Co-Founder of Evreka. “We have achieved new successes by broadening the variety of our product range to ensure optimisation in all aspects of waste and material management. Through these successes, it is especially exhilarating to know that our efforts in digitising waste management have found a purpose toward a greater cause, where we can advance the frontiers of Sustainability for a better world.”

With a joint vision of providing Sustainability as a Service, Evreka and Circulai hope to help tackle the global waste problem and develop inclusive, sustainable solutions by working with partners in the public and private sectors across different industries, including waste generators, processors, recyclers, brand owners, and regulators.

To learn more about Circulai and Evreka, visit www.circulai.co.uk and https://evreka.co/.

About Evreka

With its ‘Sustainability as a Service’ approach, Evreka delivers sustainable solutions across more than 20 countries worldwide, from the USA to Singapore. Dedicated to overcoming the greatest challenges of the circular economy, Evreka drives global transformation in resource and waste management, recycling, and material circularity. Its digitised, end-to-end waste and material management solutions cater to various sectors needing to adapt to circular business models. Evreka empowers organisations to trace waste and resources from secondary raw material suppliers to consumers, ensuring a closed-loop system through reusing, recycling, and repurposing. For more information, visit www.evreka.co.

About Circulai

Circulai is dedicated to advancing sustainable waste management solutions, helping businesses and communities optimise waste practices and minimise environmental impact. Circulai is committed to building a brighter, greener future for all through innovative technologies and comprehensive services. For more information, visit www.circulai.co.uk

For further details about this press release:

CONTACT: Simon Sharp

Circulai Limited

Phone 0333 0044456

Email: simon@circulai.co.uk

Experience the future of waste management with Aida by your side. Get started today and discover the difference she can make for your business! Aida appears on bottom right-hand side of every page on the website.

The panellists include Max Kanda, Co-Founder of Circulai; James Ward, an expert in Data, Ethics, AI, and law; Kishan Changlani, a renowned TEDx and COP Speaker; David Palmer-Jones OBE, Former Group Senior vice president of Northern Europe at SUEZ; and Ross Melton, an experienced Strategic Public Policy Expert.

We invite you to join us for this enlightening discussion and join the movement to challenge the norms and drive positive change in waste management practices. 

Don’t miss this: register and participate in “Trashing the Status Quo: Embracing Innovation in Waste Management” during Climate Week. Click Here

The UK itself is a significant player, with Veolia Environmental Services UK and Biffa Group reporting annual revenues of £3.3 billion and £1.4 billion respectively for the year ending 2022.

However, the current system isn’t without its flaws. The global waste trade, while seemingly efficient, often masks a darker reality. Statistics show a significant decline in plastic waste exports since China’s “National Sword” policy – down from over 15 million tonnes in 2010 to around 4.45 million tonnes in 2021. This highlights the need for a domestic solution and a shift towards a more circular economy.

The UK’s Waste Management Landscape

Within the UK, waste management is segmented into three main categories: municipal solid waste (household waste), industrial waste, and hazardous waste. Each requires specialised handling and disposal methods. While collection rates are high – with Biffa alone collecting over 4 million metric tonnes in 2022 – disposal methods vary greatly. Recycling rates in the UK, although improving, still show disparity between regions, with Wales leading the way at 57% compared to England’s 44%. This gap presents an opportunity for significant improvement.

Tech-Powered Solutions: A Global Revolution

The tide is turning. Around the world, waste companies are embracing technology to revolutionise waste management. San Francisco’s Recology utilises robotic sorting with AI and sensors to achieve an impressive 87% recycling rate. South Korea’s Songdo City leverages an underground pneumatic waste system for efficient transportation and sorting. Waste Management, a North American giant, employs “Smart Bins” with sensors and AI-powered recycling programmes to incentivise participation and improve sorting efficiency.

The graph below displays the potential improvement percentage for various waste management technologies. It reveals that Waste-to-Energy technologies have the greatest potential impact, with a possible improvement of up to 50%. Circular Economy Design and Big Data & AI Sorting are predicted to achieve improvements between 30-40%, while Smart Bins & Sensors and Advanced Recycling could potentially reach 20-30% improvement.

The UK’s Technological Opportunity

The UK has a unique chance to become a global leader in sustainable waste management. Here’s how technology can empower this transformation:

Investing in Cutting-Edge Technologies: Early adoption of advanced sorting, recycling, and waste-to-energy plants will position UK companies at the forefront of the industry. This could potentially lead to a market share increase of 10-15% in the next five years.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilising big data and analytics can optimise operations and track progress towards sustainability goals (with a target of achieving a 10% annual reduction in landfill waste).

Building a Collaborative Ecosystem: Collaboration with government agencies to create policy frameworks that incentivise innovation through tax breaks or subsidies (potentially reaching a 20-25% cost reduction) and promoting responsible practices is crucial.

Empowering Informed Consumers: Public awareness campaigns that target a 20% increase in knowledge about responsible waste disposal habits and the importance of recycling are essential.

Leading the Charge: From Waste Collectors to Waste Warriors

By embracing innovation, fostering partnerships, and educating the public, UK waste management companies have the power to transform themselves from waste collectors into environmental stewards, leading the charge towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for the UK. This is not just about managing waste – it’s about reimagining the entire waste management lifecycle, creating a greener future for generations to come.

The Opportunity is Now: A Call to Action for UK Businesses

At Circulai, we believe that technology is the key to unlocking a future where waste becomes a resource, not a burden. Our solutions are uniquely crafted with AI and machine learning to optimise waste collection, sorting, and processing thereby laying the foundation for a transformative business model tailored to market segments facing the challenge of balancing ethical practices with profitability.

Contact us to learn how Circulai is harnessing technology to revolutionize the waste management sector in the UK. Together, let’s build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

“We’re not here to play it safe. We’re here to shake things up,” declares Max Kanda, blazing with determination. “Circulai isn’t just a company; it’s a revolution. It’s about challenging the norms, breaking down barriers, and paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.”

Simon Sharp agrees, his passion for sustainability evident in every word. “At Circulai, we’re not just talking about change; we’re making it happen. We’re harnessing the power of innovation to turn waste management on its head and create a world where waste is a thing of the past.”

Dave Swallow, the visionary strategist, smiles knowingly. “This isn’t just business; it’s personal. It’s about leaving a legacy that goes beyond profits and spreadsheets. It’s about creating a world we’re proud to pass on to future generations.”

Circulai isn’t just inviting you to join a company; it’s inviting you to join a movement. A movement that’s daring, audacious, and unapologetically bold. So, are you ready to join the revolution?

Please contact Melissa Jane at Press@circulai.co.uk] or media inquiries.

Notably, James serves as the chief data strategist and privacy officer for several publicly-traded companies, including FIS Global, EY, and Duff & Phelps, reflecting his trusted reputation within the corporate sphere. His bestselling book, “Data Leverage: Unlocking the Surprising Growth Potential of Data Partnerships,” has solidified his status as a thought leader in the field, earning him frequent interviews in prestigious publications worldwide.

Certified as a Fellow in Information Privacy and holding certifications in European and United States data security and privacy law, James’s credentials are matched only by his dedication to excellence. Prior to his role at Ward PLLC, he accrued over a decade of experience as a seasoned litigator, specialising in high-stakes litigation encompassing intellectual property, financial services, and consumer class actions.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School and Northwestern University, James Ward’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter in Circulai’s journey towards sustainable waste management. We look forward to leveraging his expertise as we continue to pioneer innovative solutions for a brighter, more sustainable future.