Submit your waste return
Natural Resources Wales uses this information to:
- monitor a site’s compliance with their environmental permit conditions
- maintain a public register
- compile national statistics about waste
Updated waste return template
We have updated the waste return electronic template for January-March 2026 returns onwards.
The new spreadsheet will enable you to select reporting years 2026 onwards but can also be used for earlier years from 2020.
We have emailed a copy of the updated template to waste operators that have previously submitted an electronic return.
If you have not received the spreadsheet, or have any difficulties accessing it please contact waste.returns@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Completing the spreadsheet
Please ensure you submit your return using the latest version of the spreadsheet for it to be accepted.
Complete all of the mandatory fields within the spreadsheet and use your EPR (Environmental Permitting Regulations) number rather than any historical reference numbers.
If your site has more than one waste permit, you must supply a return for each of the permits.
If within your facility there are several waste operations undertaken under a single permit we require more than one return to be completed in order to separately document the waste inputs and outputs from each waste operation.
Waste facilities that are not materials facilities need only complete the first sections in the three sheets in the workbook that are headed in blue. Materials facilities need to complete the full sheets.
Paper forms
If you are unable to submit your return by emailing the completed spreadsheet template, you can complete a paper return form. Please contact us to request a paper form waste.returns@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Completed paper forms should be returned to:
Natural Resources Wales
Welsh Government Offices
Cathays Park
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
How to classify and assess waste
Find help on how to select the correct EWC code for waste.
Deadlines for submitting waste returns
Quarterly returns
| Quarters | Deadline for return |
|---|---|
| January 1 to March 31 | April 30 |
| April 1 to June 30 | July 31 |
| July 1 to September 30 | October 31 |
| October 1 to December 31 | January 31 |
Annual returns
| Annual return period | Deadline for return |
|---|---|
| January 1 to December 31 | January 31 of the following year |