A method for managing data in a NAND flash storage system is provided. The method includes one or more of receiving an empty data segment directive at a storage controller, returning a data string including data of a predetermined logic level in response to a read command requesting to read data associated with a logical identifier included in the empty data segment directive, maintaining an index of mapping between the logical identifier and a physical storage location, updating the index to indicate data at the physical storage location does not need to be preserved, monitoring one or more physical storage locations, including the physical storage location, to determine a percentage of the one or more physical storage locations that do not need to be preserved, and initiating garbage collection on the one or more physical storage locations in response to the percentage reaching a threshold. The empty data segment directive includes a logical identifier associated with the physical storage location.