Local authority annual municipal waste management and reuse/recycling/composting rates

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Next update expected:October 2026

Updates

29th January 2026
Dataset first published.

Main information

Designation
Accredited official statistics
Data provider
Natural Resources Wales
Data source
Waste Data Flow
Time period covered
April 2012 to March 2025

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

In Wales local authority municipal waste includes material from household and non-household sources that is collected by local authorities. This dataset includes waste collected, the amount of waste that is reused/recycled/composted, and the net amount of waste incinerated or sent to landfill.

The incineration of waste figures have been split between incineration with energy recovery and without.

The statutory target definitions include local authority municipal waste generated that is recycled, reused or composted.

Data collection or calculation

Results for the amount and type of waste collected and how it is disposed of are collected through the WasteDataFlow system. This information is submitted by local authorities via WasteDataFlow. Natural Resources Wales are then responsible for validation of this information.

Statistical quality

There may be some discrepancies between some of the tables as some relate to the amount of waste generated/collected whilst others refer to the amount sent for treatment. This can be a matter of timing if, for example, authorities stockpile waste for later treatment. There may also be some inconsistencies in the measurement since the waste is weighed when collected and again when it is sent for treatment. In addition, there may also be loss in weight through various treatment processes. Natural Resources Wales validate all local authority returns and require that the difference between the amount collected and the amount sent for treatment must not differ by more than 10 percent in any quarter, unless a valid explanation can be given. Local authority municipal waste excludes abandoned vehicles.

Rounding applied

The data has been rounded to five decimal places.

Related reports

Published by

Organisation
Welsh Government
Contact email
stats.environment@gov.wales