WasteDataFlow is the online web based system for municipal waste data reporting by UK local authorities to government. From 2004/05 it has replaced the Municipal Waste Management Survey, which in London was collected and validated for Defra by the Greater London Authority.

WasteDataFlow is designed for local authorities:

• to allow faster and more accurate data collection of municipal waste statistics, more regularly and efficiently;
• to enhance their local data management for reporting and strategic planning purposes;
• to offer them streamlined access to performance benchmarking with other authorities; and

WasteDataFlow will allow all tiers of government:

• to monitor progress towards national and local targets;
• in particular to enable waste disposal authorities to meet the requirement to report quarterly data to Environment Agency under the Landfill Allowances and Trading
  Schemes regulations (LATS);
• to enable the UK to meet reporting obligations;
• to guide government policy.

Defra have initiated regular User Group workshops for England. The workshops are designed as an opportunity for waste managers from local authorities and representatives of local authority groups to convene to discuss the issues, concerns and benefits of WasteDataFlow.

London is represented by:
Andrew Barker - London Borough of Harrow
Steve Didsbury - London Borough of Bexley
Dave Hawes - London Borough of Barking and Dagenahm

A full list of members and further details of the user group can be found at:
http://www.wastedataflow.org/htm/partners.aspx

The following reports summarise the items raised at each of the quarterly user group meetings and, where discussed, some potential actions to mitigate or overcome any issues.

The WasteDataFlow helpdesk can be contacted by emailing helpdesk@wastedataflow.org or by telephoning 0161 874 3602

The public can register for access to the site here: http://www.wastedataflow.org/Register.aspx

A range of guidance manuals can be accessed from the WasteDataFlow website, scroll to the bottom of the Datasets page: http://www.wastedataflow.org/htm/datasets.aspx