Designed as an alternative to the current paper-based waste transfer note (WTN) system, edoc (Electronic Duty of Care), has been developed over the past four years by the Environment Agency in partnership with government bodies and the UK waste sector.

The main benefit of the new system is the time, cost and administrative burden savings it will drive compared with the current system. Businesses will be able to create, share, edit, sign and record all waste transfers electronically. And, according to estimates, it could save authorities up to £1m a year by negating the need for costly business waste surveys.

While the use of edoc will not be mandatory it has already received overwhelming support from the waste sector, with 72% of large and medium-sized waste operators stating they were in favour according to an Ipsos MORI poll in June this year.

Users can also view a permanent log of all actions performed on a WTN, by whom and when, receive email notifications when there is a WTN for their attention or an amendment has been made by another party and search their own record database quickly and easily using a range of filters and fields.

Speaking at the RWM launch Environment Agency head of illegals and waste Mat Crocker said: “Around 23 million new WTNs are produced every year and have to be stored for two years, adding up to a huge amount of wasted paper, not to mention the administrative headache they can cause in terms of filing, storage and retrieval.

“There is clearly an appetite for a new easier and more effective way to record waste transfers and we are keen to capitalise on the interest that is out there.”

Businesses can find out more, register their interest and sign up for regular updates ahead of the January launch at www.edoconline.co.uk

edie staff

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