DWT 2026 Requirement
Aldrin
Chlordane
DDT
Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE)
Endrin
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD/HBCD)
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)
Lindane / HCH
Mirex
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs)
PFHxS its salts and related compounds
PFOA its salts and related compounds
PFOS its salts and PFOS-F
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)
Declare POPs on your WTNs — even non-hazardous ones
WasteBolt supports POPs declaration on both hazardous consignment notes and non-hazardous WTNs. DWT 2026 submission formatted automatically.
What Are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are a class of toxic chemicals that share four critical characteristics: they persist in the environment for years or decades, they bioaccumulate through food chains, they travel long distances from their original source via air, water, and migratory species, and they pose significant health risks — including cancer, reproductive disorders, immune system damage, and developmental problems.
In UK waste management, waste containing POPs above regulatory threshold concentrations must be declared on waste documentation. Under the UK POPs Regulation (2007, as amended), the key obligation is that POPs-containing waste cannot simply be landfilled — it must be destroyed or irreversibly transformed so that the POPs content is eliminated.
POPs Most Commonly Found in UK Waste Streams
The following POPs appear most frequently in UK waste compliance contexts:
- PFOS/PFOAPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — found in firefighting foam, industrial wastewater, textiles, and food packaging residues. Among the highest-profile POPs under current UK and international regulation.
- PCBsPolychlorinated biphenyls — present in old electrical transformers, capacitors, and building materials from before the 1980s ban. Significant quantities still arise from demolition and refurbishment waste.
- DioxinsDioxins and furans — arise as unintentional by-products of incineration and industrial combustion. Common in incinerator bottom ash, fly ash, and contaminated soils near legacy industrial sites.
- DDTDDT and related compounds — although banned since the 1970s, DDT persists in soils from legacy agricultural land and can appear in remediation waste streams.
POPs on Non-Hazardous Waste Transfer Notes
One of the most significant changes introduced by Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) 2026 is the requirement to declare POPs on non-hazardous Waste Transfer Notes — not just hazardous consignment notes.
If a non-hazardous waste stream contains POPs above threshold concentrations, the DWT submission must include the specific POP chemical code (from the list above), its concentration in the waste, and the source of the POPs components. This is a new obligation that many skip hire operators, demolition contractors, and general waste carriers are not yet aware of.
WasteBolt supports POPs declarations on both hazardous and non-hazardous notes, with the complete chemical list from this page available as a picker inside the note creation workflow. See the HP_POP code for how POPs interact with hazardous waste classification.
POPs and Digital Waste Tracking 2026
From October 2026, every waste movement containing POPs must be declared in the DEFRA national tracking system, regardless of whether the overall waste stream is hazardous or non-hazardous. The DWT system requires the POP chemical code, concentration, and source to be included in the submission payload. WasteBolt automatically formats this data into the correct DWT structure from information entered on the WTN or consignment note.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in waste?
POPs are a group of toxic chemicals that resist degradation, accumulate in food chains, and travel long distances. In UK waste regulations, waste containing POPs above threshold concentrations must be declared on waste documentation and cannot simply be landfilled — it must be treated to eliminate the POPs content.
Do POPs have to be declared on non-hazardous Waste Transfer Notes?
Yes. Under DWT 2026 requirements, POPs must be declared on non-hazardous WTNs if the waste contains POP substances above threshold concentrations — including the chemical code, concentration, and source of components.
What are the most common POPs in UK waste streams?
The most frequently encountered POPs in UK waste operations are PFOS and PFOA (from firefighting foam and industrial processes), PCBs (from old electrical equipment and transformers), dioxins and furans (from incineration residues), and DDT compounds (from legacy agricultural sites).
How do POPs affect Digital Waste Tracking submissions?
From October 2026, DWT submissions must include the specific POP chemical code, its concentration in the waste, and the source of the POPs components for any waste movement where POPs are present. WasteBolt supports POPs declaration on both hazardous and non-hazardous notes with automatic DWT formatting.
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