WRAP’s Local Authority (LA) Portal is an interactive Local Authority data collation point of waste and recycling collection scheme data, benchmarking data and other features such as the “Kerbside Costing Tool”.
The scheme and performance values are a key reference point in the development of funding calculations for Local Authorities across England, such as New Burdens funding for separate food waste. Ensuring the collection scheme data is correct is essential to ensure that the current collection configurations are accurately reflected in the data. With so many changes and developments to your services, it is vital that we all check and update the LA Portal throughout the year.
Local Authority Portal Annual Update (LAPAU)
Each year between January and March we kindly ask all local authorities to review and update their scheme information for the current financial year. The update will refresh the values presented within the Portal which are used for a variety of applications including:
- An up-to-date hub for Local Authorities to view collection scheme information.
- Scheme performance benchmarking.
- Indicative collection costs.
- Information for the Recycle Now locator which provides the general public with information on what materials can be recycled where, based on their postcode.
You can create an account on the LA Portal here, this a quick and easy process and will enable you to view the scheme and performance data available on the Portal. If you require editing permissions to update the scheme information, please contact us at LA-Recycling@wrap.org.uk
A step-by-step guide for updating the Portal can be found here: LAPAU Guidance
We’d love to hear from you if you have any questions regarding the update.
Benchmarking
The performance data available on the Portal displays Waste Data Flow tonnages and compares local authorities against one another using their recycling yields (measured in kilograms per household per year for each main material). Local authorities can view and compare their performance data with UK countries, regions and neighbouring LAs. Waste composition data, based
on scheme type and materials collected, are applied to comingled tonnages to be able to estimate yields for the benchmarking tables. This is useful and visually appealing information to convey to politicians when considering future plans in the context of where you are now.
Kerbside Costing Tool
The Kerbside Costing Tool provides local authorities with indicative kerbside collection costs and performance data. Users can view and compare different kerbside collection schemes, providing a quick and easy first step for an authority considering alternative collection options. WRAPs Kerbside Analysis Tool (KAT) is used to generate the outputs presented in this tool. KAT is an established model utilised extensively by local authorities when modelling potential service changes. It is important to note that these modelled costs are specifically for kerbside properties only, therefore the variation in costs of collecting from communal bins (e.g. flats) and non-mainline rounds are not incorporated.
The tool consists of two main features: The personalised, indicative, kerbside collection costs and a comparison of the schemes performance for your specific Local Authority.
- Your LAs kerbside costs: View and specify the modelled scheme type used to represent your authority’s costs. Scheme types have been included which are representative of schemes commonly offered, however it is not possible to model all scheme types due to available data. These modelled costs can be used as a guide to whether potential future options will be relatively more or less expensive.
- Compare collection schemes’ performance: View and compare a range of collection schemes against your authority’s modelled service. Filter and search for different scenarios according to residual frequency and dry scheme type. All schemes presented in this section of the tool include a food waste collection, ensuring alignment with upcoming policy changes.
For more information about the models used for the tool, the scenarios presented, the data used in the models and how the outputs should be used please read the ‘About the data’ section on the Kerbside Costing Tool. Keep an eye out for future announcements as a webinar detailing the Kerbside Costing Tool is coming later this financial year.
