In short: Moving clean excavated soil in Northern Ireland can follow different regulatory routes depending on the material and the proposed use. DAERA's Greenfield Soil Guidance provides a specific route for qualifying clean greenfield soil. Where its conditions are met, the material may not be regarded as waste and waste management controls may not apply.

Start by deciding which regulatory route applies

Tipper360 does not decide whether excavated material is waste, whether it meets the Greenfield Soil Guidance, or whether a receiving site is authorised. The responsible parties should establish the correct route before the movement takes place and obtain regulatory or professional advice where necessary.

What does DAERA's Greenfield Soil Guidance require?

DAERA states that, where clean greenfield soil is moved in accordance with its guidance, it may not be regarded as waste. A completed Greenfield Soil Declaration Form must be submitted to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency before the soil is moved, and the operator must be satisfied that the guidance has been complied with.

DAERA also states that no formal consent is issued for the declaration and that the paperwork must be retained for two years because the movement may be audited.

What should the movement record support?

  • Customer, project and site references
  • Material description and the regulatory route being used
  • Carrier and vehicle details
  • Origin and destination information
  • Relevant dates and times
  • Quantity or weighbridge information where used
  • Declaration, reference or supporting documents relevant to the job
  • Photos and sign-off where required by the job

Where Tipper360 fits

Tipper360 can keep the selected job and movement information together while the work happens. The office can send the job or an authorised driver can start it, and completed records can be searched afterwards instead of reconstructing the movement from separate paper dockets, photos and messages.

The Tipper360 record supports operational evidence and retrieval. It does not replace a Greenfield Soil Declaration, DAERA requirements, permits, exemptions, professional advice or contractual documents.

What about UK Digital Waste Tracking in Northern Ireland?

Digital Waste Tracking is a separate UK-wide programme for waste movements. DAERA's current timetable says Phase 1 for licensed or permitted waste receiving sites becomes mandatory in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2027. Phase 2 for the wider waste industry is expected to enter public beta in spring 2027, with mandatory use currently planned for October 2027.

That does not mean a movement correctly treated as non-waste under the Greenfield Soil Guidance automatically becomes a waste movement. The correct classification and regulatory route still need to be established for the material concerned.

Official sources

Regulatory information reviewed 24 September 2026. Requirements and programme dates can change.

Related guide: UK Digital Waste Tracking for tipper operators