A 3-stage research and development project to develop a national information Intranet of waste flows within the UK public sector (Waste Collection Authorities, Unitary and Waste Disposal Authorities). This should ultimately replace the annual manual surveys undertaken by various Government departments and agencies leading to better defined/more accurate data collected more regularly and efficiently, available for access/publication on a timely basis. 
Stage 1 of the project is a scoping study designed to map existing data sources, define user requirements and specify data needs.

Stage 1 - Key Objectives

To map existing data sources and need for continuity; to define user requirements; to specify data needs and flows relative to content and time; to determine existing arrangements and plans; to consider data validation and waste definitions.

To recommend a minimum data set with specifications for present and future extensions; to accommodate the possibility of drawing together regional databases into a national database.

To consult across the spectrum of local authority types in terms of data quality, data provision and authority characteristics to determine barriers to involvement; to identify the implications for human/financial resourcing and education/training within local authorities.

Project Partners

The Charterted Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)
Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)
Scottish Executive
Welsh Assembly Government
Department of the Environment Northern Ireland (DOENI)
Audit Commission
Audit Scotland
The Environment Agency (EA)
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
Local Government Association (LGA)
Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA)
Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA)
National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO)
Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
Environmental Services Association (ESA)

Status

Stage 1 - has been completed and is presently subject to verification and IT consultation.  A summary report and Appendix A are available.

Stage 2 - IT development and pilot trials commenced April 2004 with Defra Legacy funding ending on 31 March 2004.

Stage 3 - Defra host WasteDataFlow and are using the system for collecting Municipal Waste Survey data and monitoring LATS.