Whether you’re creating your first waste transfer note by hand or automating imports from a weighbridge, there’s a route into WasteBolt that matches how your site works — and you can mix and match more than one. The workflow is the same regardless of method: get your waste data in, review the digital WTN, collect e-signatures, then optionally submit to the Environment Agency’s Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) system.

The WasteBolt Workflow in One Sentence

Get your waste data in (any method below) → review the digital WTN → collect e-signatures → optionally submit to DWT. That’s it.

  1. Get data in — pick any method below
  2. Review WTN — check the details are correct
  3. E-sign — producer, carrier and consignee sign
  4. Submit DWT — optional, if you’re reporting to the EA

Want to see it in action first? Watch the full walkthrough on Getting Started with WasteBolt.

Ways to Get Data Into WasteBolt

Pick the method that matches how your site works.

Method Best for
Create a WTN manually Typing in producer, carrier, waste type and weights directly. Use quick-fill templates to pre-populate repeat loads in seconds.
Log a load at the gate (WasteBolt Gate) Recording incoming loads at the gate using the web app or PWA. The load stages automatically and is matched to a template before generating the WTN.
Scan a paper WTN (Bolt Upload) Got a paper waste transfer note? Take a photo — AI extracts the details and pre-fills a new digital WTN for you to review and confirm.
Import from your weighbridge (Gatehouse) WasteBolt Gatehouse is a free Windows app that watches your weighbridge CSV folder and automatically creates staged records — no manual entry. Also supports SQL Server sync and manual log entry.
Use quick-fill templates Not using Gatehouse? Set up a template for each recurring job — producer, carrier, EWC code and all — so creating the next WTN takes under 30 seconds.

Not sure which to use? If you have a weighbridge producing CSV files, start with WasteBolt Gatehouse. If you log loads manually at a gate or office, try WasteBolt Gate. For everything else, creating WTNs directly is fine.

What Happens Once Data Is In

Every route ends up in the same place — your Waste Movements list.

  1. Review the WTN. Open any WTN from Waste Movements and check the producer, carrier, consignee, waste type and weights are correct. For staged records (from Gate or Gatehouse), this happens in the staging queue before the WTN is committed.
  2. Collect e-signatures. WasteBolt sends a signing link to each party — producer, carrier and consignee. They sign on any device, with no account required. Once all parties have signed, the note is legally complete.
  3. Submit to Digital Waste Tracking (DWT) — if required. If you need to report to the EA under DWT, submit directly from WasteBolt once your EA credentials are set up. See the DWT setup guide and how to submit to DWT.
  4. Export, report and audit. Download signed WTNs as PDFs, export bulk movement data as CSV, or use Ask Bolt AI to query your waste data in plain English. All records are stored securely in your UK cloud account.

WasteBolt Gatehouse: The Biggest Time-Saver for Weighbridge Sites

If you run a weighbridge, WasteBolt Gatehouse — free with every plan — is the single biggest time-saver on this list. It’s a Windows desktop app with three data sources, and you only need one of them:

  • CSV Watch Folder — point Gatehouse at the folder your weighbridge software drops CSVs into and it picks them up automatically.
  • Log Job (manual) — no weighbridge? Log vehicle, waste type and weights directly in Gatehouse and it stages the record for you.
  • SQL Server Sync — have a weighbridge SQL database? Gatehouse can query it directly and sync records on a schedule (Pro+ plans).

See the WasteBolt Gatehouse setup guide.

Set Up Pick Lists Before You Start

The single biggest time-saver inside WasteBolt itself is pick lists. Before you create your first WTN, spend five minutes adding your producers, carriers, consignees and waste types as pick-list items — then every form auto-completes rather than requiring manual entry. See Customers, Waste Types, Vehicles and Quick-Fill Templates.

Digital Waste Tracking (DWT)

DWT reporting to the Environment Agency is mandatory from October 2026 for most waste producers, and WasteBolt is already live and PAT-approved on Defra’s production DWT environment today. WasteBolt submits directly from any completed WTN — no separate EA portal needed. You’ll need to connect your EA credentials once (Settings → DWT). See the DWT setup guide, how to submit to DWT, and importing weighbridge data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to set up DWT to use WasteBolt?

No. You can create, sign and manage digital WTNs without connecting DWT at all. DWT submission is an optional extra — add it when you’re ready via Settings → DWT.

What’s the difference between WasteBolt Gate and WasteBolt Gatehouse?

WasteBolt Gate is the in-app section where you log loads manually, scan paper WTNs with AI, or review staged records. WasteBolt Gatehouse is a separate Windows desktop app that automates data entry from your weighbridge — it feeds records into the same staging queue that Gate uses.

Can I use WasteBolt Gatehouse without a weighbridge?

Yes. Gatehouse includes a “Log Job” feature for manual entry — vehicle, waste type and weights — that stages a record without needing a CSV or SQL source. It’s useful at busy gates where staff log loads at a PC.

Does everyone who signs a WTN need a WasteBolt account?

No. WasteBolt sends a signing link to any email address. Signatories open the link on any device and sign — no account or login required.

How do I handle hazardous waste consignment notes?

Create a consignment note instead of a WTN — the form captures all the additional required fields (EWC code, HP codes, POPs data, disposal/recovery code). See the consignment note guide.

Where do I find submitted WTNs?

All your waste movements are in the Waste Movements section of the WasteBolt app. You can filter by date, status, producer or carrier, and export as PDF or CSV.

What’s Next