WasteCheck : UK Waste Compliance Infrastructure for Developers

Matthew Haysom — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:53:48 +0000

WasteCheck is a REST API for UK waste compliance. Carrier verification, AI-powered EWC classification, and digital Waste Transfer Note generation. Free tier available, nothing else like it at the API level.

WasteCheck is a REST API for UK waste compliance. It verifies waste carriers against the Environment Agency register, classifies waste into EWC codes using AI, and generates digital Waste Transfer Notes. It's live, it has a free tier, and there's nothing else like it at the API level in the UK.

Why we built it
The UK waste industry runs on manual processes. Carrier verification means going to the Environment Agency's website and typing in registration numbers one at a time. Waste classification means reading through the EA's technical guidance documents and picking an EWC code from a list of 650. Waste Transfer Notes are filled out on paper or in PDF forms.

Meanwhile, DEFRA is mandating digital waste tracking. Waste receiving sites must submit structured data for every load they accept from October 2026. Waste collectors follow from October 2027. The data DEFRA requires includes validated EWC codes and carrier registration numbers for every movement.

Waste management software platforms need this compliance infrastructure, but building it in-house means integrating with the EA register, building an AI classification pipeline, designing a WTN schema, and keeping it all maintained. WasteCheck handles that so they can focus on their own product.

Three endpoints
Carrier verification checks a waste carrier's registration against the EA public register. Search by registration number, business name, or postcode. Returns status, tier, expiry date, and compliance flags. Cached for 24 hours.

EWC classification takes a plain-English waste description and returns the correct European Waste Catalogue code(s) with confidence scoring and hazardous waste detection. Includes reasoning for audit trails. Cached for 7 days.

WTN generation combines both into a compliance-checked digital Waste Transfer Note. Runs carrier verification and waste classification in parallel. Each WTN gets a unique reference and is stored for retrieval.

Who it's for
Waste management software platforms that want to add compliance features without building the backend. Facilities management companies verifying carriers and producing WTNs across dozens of sites. Multi-site businesses (retail, hospitality, property) that produce waste at every location. Environmental consultancies that currently do manual EA register lookups.

Sign up at app.wastecheck.co.uk, grab your API key, and make your first call. No credit card required on the free tier. Full documentation at docs.wastecheck.co.uk.

DEV Community: Matthew Haysom

WasteCheck : UK Waste Compliance Infrastructure for Developers