Summary logs for UK packaging waste: an overview

What summary logs are 

Reprocessors and exporters need to use summary logs to record packaging waste activity. Summarydata logsabout are spreadsheets that recordpackaging datawaste received about eachor loadexported thatfor arrivesrecycling. Summary orlogs leavesare spreadsheets that you yourneed site forto complete for each registration or accreditation that you hold.

Purpose 

ProvidingSummary summary logs ishelp partyou capture some of the record-keepingdata andrequired reportingunder requirements in the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. It is a condition of registration and accreditation. Read more about the reporting requirements. 

For accreditedoperators operators,with theaccredited datamaterials, yousummary providelogs inare yourthe summarymethod log will beby usedwhich toyou calculate theupload wastethis balance. You will use thedata wasteto balance to issue Packagingthe Recycling‘Record Notesreprocessed (PRNs)or andexported Packagingpackaging Wastewaste’ Exportservice. RecyclingOnce Notesuploaded, (PERNs).  

Thethe summarydata logs will also give theyou regulators more data to helpprovide them targetin fraudyour andsummary error, protecting thelog will be interestsused ofto legitimate industry.

Whencalculate your towaste submitbalance. You will use the them 

Thewaste requirementbalance to issue packaging torecycling recordnotes your(PRNs) and packaging waste inexport recycling notes (PERNs). Completing summary logs appliesis froma 1condition Januaryof 2026. accreditation.

Registered-only operators 

AtFor a minimum registered operators needwith toregistered-only updatematerials, thesummary loglogs atsupport least quarterly, once you canto includerecord all the data foryou theare quarter.required Thisto isreport.

For soregulators, yousummary canlogs give them submitmore data to help thethem target quarterlyfraud reportand beforeerror, protecting the theinterests 21st day of thelegitimate industry.

When monthto followingupdate the end of the quarter.

them 

AccreditedOperators with operators  accredited materials

At a minimum you need to update the log at least once a month, once you can include all the data for the previous month. This is so you can submit theyour monthly report onby the 21st day of every month with the data for the previous month.  

For example, you first need to submit your summary log onby 21 February 2026. It must include the data for January 2026.  

You could update the summary log multiple times during January and February, or just once between 1 and 21 February, as long as it includes all of the January data by 21 February.

Operators with materials that are registered only

At a minimum registered operators need to update the log at least quarterly, once you can include all the data for the quarter. This is so you can submit your quarterly report before the 21st day of the month following the end of the quarter.

Updating your summary log  log regularly

You can update the log more often than the minimum reporting requirements if you prefer. Operators with accredited materials may prefer to do so to keep the waste balance up to date.

Each time you update the log, edit and re-upload the same spreadsheet. Do not start a new spreadsheet each month.

Do not delete any existing data from the spreadsheet as this could affect the accuracy of data you previously submitted and, for accredited operators, your waste balance.

You can edit information you previously submitted in the log. If you edit information submitted in a previous reporting period, you need to resubmit that monthly report.

How to fill

When in,updating uploadthe and submit them 

Anyonelog throughout the month, you should partially complete lines and then update them later. For example, you could input exports when the waste is loaded for export at a UK site and then return later to add the date it’s received at an overseas site – at which point you can fillissue ina and submit thePERN against the export. When submitting monthly reports using summary logslog data, regulators expect that some lines will show waste leaving the UK site but having not yet arrived at the overseas site.

Submitting nil returns

If you did not reprocess or export any packaging waste for youra organisation.month, you still need to submit a blank summary log to the service.

Downloading and setting up your summary log template

DownloadChoose the template you need 

There are different summary log templates.templates for all types of operating activity. You must use the templates provided. 

You need to use the correct one for your operating activity. Complete a new spreadsheet for each registration or accreditation you have.

YouIf canyou downloadare theaccredited summaryfor loga templates.

You can download the summary log templates.

Technical information 

You must: 

• use a Microsoft Excel version from 2007 onwards 

• save the template as an XLSX file

We recommend using the desktop version of Excel.

Keep a back-up copy of the document so you do not lose your data if there are any problems with the file. 

If you have technical issues with your summary log, contact the EPR helpdesk.

Data security

Read the Extended producer responsibility for packaging privacy notice to see how the regulators can use the data you submit through your summary log.

Set up the summary log template

You must enter the information requested on the cover sheet for the template to work.

If you do not select the material, some of the drop-down lists will not work.

If you do not enter your registration and accreditation number (as applicable), you will not be able to upload the template to the reprocessors and exporters service as required.

Entering your data

Anyone can fill in and upload the summary logs for your organisation.

FillFilling in the summary log template

Fill in a new row for each load and do not delete existing data.  

Each row starts with a pre-populated reference for that load – do not change this.  

Parts of the templates are locked to stop you from changing the structure or format. 

Enter data in the format provided, or you will not be able to submit theto upload the summary log. If you copy and paste into the template, first make sure the data you paste in matches the formatting required by the relevant cell.

You can use the 2 blank sheets provided for any personal calculations, look-up tables or other functions that improve your workflow.

The templates have a limit of 15,000 rows. If you need to enter more rows than this, contact EPRCustomerService@defra.gov.uk.

Data definitions

Read supplementary guidance on filling in the summary log to help you understand what is required and how to enter your data.

DataEntering securitysingle waste streams

Operators with accredited materials need to report each load as a separate line

ReadYou theneed Extendedto produceruse responsibilitya separate row in the template for packagingeach privacyseparate noticeload toof seewaste howyou the regulatorsreceive canfrom useeach supplier on each date.

If you collect or receive an entire load from one supplier site, the datasupplier name you submitenter throughin that row is the name of that load site.

If you collect or receive waste from multiple suppliers and bulk up waste at your own site, list each supplier as separate rows in the summary log.

Upload

Operators yourwith summaryregistered-only logmaterials tocan aggregate data by supplier and role

For example, rather than entering each load as a separate row, you could have one row that covers all the service loads from one supplier organisation per month.

You cannot aggregate across multiple months, or across reporting periods.

Entering mixed-waste loads of the same material category

UploadIf your summaryapproved logsampling and inspection plan allows you to receive mixed loads of the reprocessorssame material category, and exportersyou service.use any nationally agreed protocols, agency agreed industry grades (AAIGs) or site-specific protocols, enter a separate row for each protocol.

The service will validate that your summary log is the correct file type and that you have entered the data correctly. It will check some of the information you have entered.

For accredited operators, it will show how your waste balance will be updated so you can check for errors. Once you’ve submitted your summary log, it will confirm your updated waste balance.

Accessing the service

If you are accredited for 2026, you will have been invited to access the service via an email invitation link.

If you are registered but not accredited, you cannot yet upload your summary log to the service. You will receive an invitation shortly.

Get help and give feedback 

If you have questions and feedback on the summary log, contact your regulator.  

Find information on call charges. 

England 

Environment Agency 

Email: «packagingproducers@environment-agency.gov.uk»  packaging@environment-agency.gov.uk  

Telephone: 03708 506 506   

Wales  

Natural Resources Wales  

Email: packaging@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk 

Telephone: 0300 065 3000  

Scotland 

Scottish Environment Protection Agency 

Email: producer.responsibility@sepa.org.uk   

Telephone: 0300 099 6699 

Northern Ireland 

Northern Ireland Environment Agency 

Email: repandexp@daera-ni.gov.uk   

Telephone: 028 9056 9338 

Questions about the ‘Manage‘Record reprocessed andor exported packaging waste’ service

Email: EPRCustomerService@defra.gov.uk  

Telephone: 0300 060 0002 

Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm 

Find information on call charges.