municipal waste characterisation stream analysis can be defined as any programme which involves a...

CONTENTS 1

MUNICIPAL WASTECHARACTERISATION

Environmental Protection AgencyArdcavan, Wexford, Ireland.

Telephone : +353-53-47120 Fax : +353-53-47119

2 MUNICIPAL WASTE CHARACTERISATION PROCEDURES

© Environmental Protection Agency 1996

Parts of this publication may be reproduced without further permission, provided the sourceis acknowledged.

MUNICIPAL WASTE CHARACTERISATION

Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland.

The Agency personnel involved in the preparation and production of this document wereDr. Matt Crowe and Mr. Gerry Carty.

ISBN 1 899965 32 7Price £5

CONTENTS 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 5

1. INTRODUCTION 7

IMPACT OF WASTE RECOVERY OPERATIONS 7

2. HOUSEHOLD WASTE CHARACTERISATION 9

2.1 DEFINITION 9

2.2 HEALTH & SAFETY 9

2.3 MATERIALS 9

2.4 TIMING OF WASTE ANALYSIS 9

2.5 SELECTING A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE 92.5.1 ITEMS TO CONSIDER 92.5.2 SAMPLE SIZE 9

2.6 COLLECTING THE SAMPLE 10

2.7 REDUCING SAMPLE SIZE 11

2.8 SAMPLE ANALYSIS 11

2.9 CLASSIFYING THE WASTE STREAM 11

2.10 SAFE DISPOSAL OF WASTE 11

3. COMMERCIAL WASTE CHARACTERISATION 13

3.1 DEFINITION 13

3.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY 13

3.3 MATERIALS 13

3.4 SELECTING A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE 13

3.5 COLLECTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE 13

3.6 REDUCING SAMPLE SIZE 14

3.7 CLASSIFYING THE WASTE STREAM 14

3.8 SAFE DISPOSAL OF WASTE 14

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE OF HOW TO SELECT A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE 15

APPENDIX B: ESTIMATING SAMPLE SIZE 16


APPENDIX C: PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF SAMPLE 19

C1: SAMPLE PREPARATION 19

C2: MOISTURE CONTENT MEASUREMENT 19

C3: BULK DENSITY MEASUREMENT 19

APPENDIX D: MUNICIPAL WASTE COMPOSITION FORM 20

APPENDIX E: GUIDELINE ON WASTE CATEGORIES USED FOR THE SEPARATIONANALYSIS 22

USER COMMENT FORM 25

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 5

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Agency wishes to acknowledge those who contributed to the production of this document. The draftdocument was prepared by M.C. O’Sullivan & Co. Ltd. under contract to the Agency as part of the projectentitled ‘Information and Methodology Study to Assist Improved Management of Wastes’. M.C.O’Sullivan & Co. Ltd. also supervised the use of the draft methodologies during the course of the projectand recommended revisions based on this practical experience. The Agency welcomes comments andsuggestions which can be submitted on the User Comment Form at the back of the document. We gratefullyacknowledge the assistance provided by the following persons:

Michael Bruen, Department of Civil Engineering, University College, Dublin.

Peter Carey, M.C. O’Sullivan & Co. Ltd.

Jean Clarke, M.C. O’Sullivan & Co. Ltd.

Diarmuid de Burca, Department of Civil Engineering, University College, Dublin.

Professor Vincent Dodd, Agriculture & Food Engineering, University College, Dublin.

Joyanne Manning, Department of Civil Engineering, University College, Dublin.

Eamon Markey, Department of the Environment.

John O’Flynn, Waterford County Council.

P.J. Rudden, M.C. O’Sullivan & Co. Ltd.

The Agency would also like to extend its appreciation to those local authorities who conducted wastecharacterisation surveys using the Draft Procedure and from whom useful comments were obtained.

1 INTRODUCTION7

1. INTRODUCTION

Waste stream analysis can be defined as anyprogramme which involves a logical andsystematic approach to obtaining and analysingdata on one or more waste streams or sub-streams. The analysis also provides an estimateof solid waste quantity and composition, referredto as waste characterisation. There is currentlyno agreed international standard for waste streamanalysis or waste characterisation although manyEuropean countries have national procedures.

In Ireland, many local authorities are nowconducting waste characterisation surveys.However, a variety of procedures have been used.A standard procedure should be adoptedthroughout the country and used by all thoseconducting waste stream analysis so that:

(i) surveys performed by different localauthorities can be compared;

(ii) a reliable national profile of waste

composition can be developed; and (iii) trends and changes in waste

characterisation and composition overtime can be tracked and measured.

In mid-1995, the Environmental ProtectionAgency issued all local authorities with a draftprocedure for household waste characterisation.Each local authority was asked to conduct wastecharacterisation surveys using the draft procedureas part of the National Waste Database projectand to report the results of such surveys to theAgency. The draft procedure was specificallytailored to the Irish situation by providing forseparate sampling of urban and rural areas. Itdeparted from previous procedures by adoptingthe European Waste Catalogue as the standardcoding system for categorising separatedfractions; where necessary, the six digit code ofthe EWC was extended to eight digits to allowfor more detailed analysis of the waste stream.

Several local authorities conducted surveys usingthe draft procedure and this procedure draws onthe experience gained from the practicalapplication of the draft procedure.

A draft procedure for characterisation ofcommercial waste was also developed and tested.The principal difference between the analysis ofhousehold and commercial waste is the mannerwith which the sample is selected and collected.

The procedure for commercial wastecharacterisation is designed to provide thefollowing information:

• the average weight of waste per employee perweek;

• the percentage by weight of each major

category in the waste stream e.g. glass, paper,etc. by commercial sector i.e. retail,wholesale, non-distributive, educational;

• the percentage by weight of each sub-category

in the waste stream e.g. types of plastics,paper etc.

Both household and commercial characterisationprocedures are presented here to provide astandard methodology for the characterisation ofmunicipal waste. Any parties conductingmunicipal waste characterisation surveys arehenceforth requested to adopt these procedures1.

IMPACT OF WASTE RECOVERYOPERATIONS

Surveys conducted using this procedure willprovide a breakdown of the composition ofhousehold/commercial waste collected fromhouseholds or commercial outlets. Therefore,any waste such as glass, aluminium or paperwhich has been recycled will not show up inthese surveys. To quantify total waste arisingsand recovery/recycling rates, any relevantrecovery/recycling activities should therefore beaccounted for.

1 See also: Environmental Protection Agency, 1996.

European Waste Catalogue and Hazardous WasteList. Environmental Protection Agency, Dublin.

2 HOUSEHOLD WASTE CHARACTERISATION9

2. HOUSEHOLD WASTE CHARACTERISATION

2.1 DEFINITION

Household waste means waste produced withinthe curtilage of a building or self-contained partof a building used for the purposes of livingaccommodation.

2.2 HEALTH & SAFETY

During the course of waste surveys, protectiveclothing and other safety measures should beused having regard to up to date Health andSafety Legislation & Regulations.

2.3 MATERIALS

The following materials are required forconducting a household waste compositionsurvey:

• a covered shed• a truck• a weighbridge• a mechanical shovel, bobcat, JCB or other

device (for mixing the sample) and handshovels

• one 60 kg precision scale (minimum precision10 g)

• one box sieve with a 20 mm round mesh• one tray for fines recovery• Containers (boxes or bags) for storing and

weighing separated fractions• brooms, disinfectant, overalls, gloves, masks,

magnet (for distinguishing between ferrousand non-ferrous metals)

• first aid kit• Oven (for moisture content) (optional)• Plastic graduated container (200 - 300 litres)

(for bulk density analysis) (optional)

2.4 TIMING OF WASTE ANALYSIS

Waste generation is affected greatly by seasonalvariation, therefore, ideally waste analysis shouldbe carried out at three month intervals. However,it is acceptable to carry out a minimum of twosurveys six months apart so as to gain someknowledge of the seasonal variation affecting thewaste being collected.

Sampling should be avoided at bank holidays,Christmas, Easter and public holidays becausewaste generation at these times will not betypical.

2.5 SELECTING A REPRESENTATIVESAMPLE

2.5.1 ITEMS TO CONSIDER

Sampling

It is recognised that selecting a representativesample is one of the most difficult tasksassociated with a waste stream analysis. It is ofcritical importance that a sample be collected thatis representative of the waste management unitunder study. In Ireland, the difference betweenrural and urban waste streams must also beconsidered. Consequently sample selectionshould first be considered under the headingsUrban and Rural. Separate surveys should beconducted on urban and rural waste streams inlocal authorities with both urban and ruralpopulations.

In the Irish context the most convenient way toselect a representative sample is to use the socialclass grouping as defined in the Census. Arepresentative sample is then collected directlyfrom selected households with due regard to thefollowing factors:

• number of households in the area (i.e. localauthority catchment);

• type of housing;• social background; and• type of collection system used.

2.5.2 SAMPLE SIZEThe size of sample to be taken is dependent onthe number of households in the sampling area,as illustrated in the Figures in Appendix B.

The following procedure is recommended forselecting and collecting a representative sample:


1) A breakdown of social class groups in thelocal authority catchment is obtained from theCensus2.

2) To facilitate sampling selection, it issuggested that social classes be combined intothree categories A, B, and C. Category Acombines classes 1 and 2; category Bcombines classes 3 and 4; category Ccombines classes 5 and 6; social class 7 isthen evenly distributed among categories A, Band C. (A practical example of how arepresentative sample is obtained is providedin Appendix A).

3) The number of households to be surveyed is

determined from the graphs in Appendix B.

• The minimum number of households to beincluded in a survey is 50. This willresult in a sample of approximately 1,000kg, assuming a waste generation rate of 20kg /household/ week. For practicalpurposes, the weight of the sample for asingle survey should be kept below about5,000 kg, which is roughly equivalent tothe waste collected from about 250households3. The recommended range fora survey therefore, is, roughly, 50 - 250households.

• In larger areas, where the sample size will

be greater than 250 households, it isrecommended that a survey be split intoseveral sub-surveys. The total number ofhouseholds to be sampled is firstdetermined from Figures 2 or 3 inAppendix B. The number of sub-surveysrequired can then be calculated bydividing the total number of households tobe sampled by 250 (i.e., the maximumnumber of households to be sampled in asingle survey). For instance, if the totalnumber of households in the catchment is25,000, the number of households to be

2 Detailed statistics are available from the CentralStatistics Office called “Small Area PopulationStatistics” for towns and rural areas.

3 The sample for sorting is obtained by reducing thesample collected to between 100 and 200 kg using acone and quartering technique as described insection 2.7. If the collected sample is too large, thecone and quartering size reduction will not yield arepresentative sample for sorting. This is why it isrecommended that the collected sample be restrictedto less than 5,000 kg.

sampled will be 760 (see Figure 2) whichmeans that three separate sub-surveysshould be conducted. This approach willpermit separate surveys to be conductedfor the different social categories, theresults of which can then be combined.

Alternatively, the sample size can berestricted to a manageable size bycarefully choosing a district within thelocal authority catchment which is amicrocosm of the local authority as awhole (such as electoral wards). Thismeans that the social class composition ofthe district should be roughly the same asthat of the local authority area and that thecollection system used and recyclingfacilities available accurately representthose of the area as a whole. While it isrecognised that a more comprehensivesurvey covering an entire local authorityarea is preferable to selecting a particulardistrict within the area, the aboveapproach is recommended whereresources are limited. The sample size forthe chosen area and estimated weight arethen determined from the graph inAppendix B.

4) The actual houses to be sampled are thenselected from local knowledge of thesampling area.

2.6 COLLECTING THE SAMPLE

The recommended method of sample collection isto have a separate vehicle collect from theselected households on the same day as normalcollection. The vehicle should be weighed priorto sample collection so that the total weight of thecollected sample can be obtained.

Occupants of households chosen for the surveyshould not be informed about the survey so thatany bias that may be created by a temporarychange in habits can be eliminated. Havingcollected the sample, the collection vehicle isdriven back to the weighbridge and the weight ofvehicle plus sample recorded. The weight of thetotal sample should be obtained prior to sortingand the number of households included in thesurvey recorded so that the average weight ofwaste per household per week can bedetermined 4. 4 The average weight of waste put out for collection

per household is a very useful indicator of

2 HOUSEHOLD WASTE CHARACTERISATION11

The sample should then be brought to a coveredshed of adequate size for reduction and sorting.

2.7 REDUCING SAMPLE SIZE

The sample should be reduced to a moremanageable size as the actual classification ofmaterials will be carried out by hand. The idealsample size for characterisation is between 100 -200 kg (minimum 100 kg) and the size reductionis achieved by a Coning and Quarteringtechnique. This involves the following:

• The sample is placed on the floor andthoroughly mixed by mechanical shovel.

• The sample is then placed in a uniform pile of

approximately 0.8 m high. • The pile is divided into four quarters using

straight lines perpendicular to each other. • Either pair of opposite corners is removed to

leave half the original sample. • The process is repeated until the desired

sample size i.e. 100-200 kg is obtained. • The surplus ‘two-quarters’ from the last size

reduction should be retained for analysis ofmoisture content and bulk density (seeSection 2.8 below).

Care should be exercised to avoid selection oflarger sized particles to reduce sample bias.

2.8 SAMPLE ANALYSIS

It is recommended that both the moisture contentand the bulk density of the sample be measured.Simple procedures for conducting these analysesare set out in Appendix C. These parameters willassist comparison of results of different surveysas large fluctuations in either moisture content orbulk density will normally reflect a significantdifference in waste composition.

2.9 CLASSIFYING THE WASTE STREAM

Once the sample size has been determined and areduced or workable sample obtained, thefollowing procedure should be carried out.

household waste production and can be used totrack the relative success of waste minimisation andrecovery programmes.

1) Sort reduced sample and pick out larger itemsfirst e.g. glass, paper, plastics.

2) Fill out the attached form (Appendix D 5). 3) Any remaining material should be passed

through a 20 mm mesh sieve and classified as‘Components smaller than 20 mm roundmesh’.

4) Any unclassified material should be allocated

as Combustible or Incombustible.

The above should be carried out having dueregard to safety procedures.

2.10 SAFE DISPOSAL OF WASTE

Arrangements should be made for appropriatewaste recovery and safe disposal of residual wasteto an authorised site having completed a wastecomposition survey.

5 This form, which uses the European Waste Catalogue

coding system, is also available from theEnvironmental Protection Agency as an Excelspreadsheet. The spreadsheet conducts thecalculations after the weights of individual fractionshave been entered. The reader should refer to theAgency publication “European Waste Catalogue andHazardous Waste List (1996)” for furtherinformation on the European Waste Catalogue.

3 COMMERCIAL WASTE CHARACTERISATION13

3. COMMERCIAL WASTE CHARACTERISATION

3.1 DEFINITION

Commercial waste means waste from premisesused wholly or mainly for the purposes of a tradeor business or for the purposes of sport,recreation, education or entertainment, but doesnot include household, agricultural or industrialwaste.

3.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY

During the course of waste surveys, protectiveclothing and other safety measures should beused having regard to up to date Health andSafety Legislation & Regulations.

3.3 MATERIALS

The following materials are required for acommercial waste composition survey.

• a covered shed• a truck• a weighbridge (if large sample is being

collected)• a mechanical shovel (for mixing the sample)

and hand shovels (the requirement for amechanical shovel will depend on the samplesize).

• one 60 kg precision scale (minimum precision10 g)

• one box sieve with a 20 mm round mesh• one tray for fines recovery• Containers (boxes or bags) for storing and

weighing separated fractions• brooms, disinfectant, overalls, gloves, masks,

magnet (for distinguishing between ferrousand non-ferrous metals)

• first aid kit

3.4 SELECTING A REPRESENTATIVESAMPLE

There are a number of ways of approachingsample selection for commercial waste. Themethod recommended here is based on thesectoral approach.

The commercial sector can be broken down intofour broad categories as described by the CentralStatistics Office (CSO), namely:

1. retail trade, e.g., supermarkets; 2. wholesale trade, e.g., sale of goods to

retailers; 3. non-distribution, e.g., hotels and catering,

office premises; 4. education, e.g., schools and colleges.

For a more complete breakdown of the above fourcategories refer to the CSO statistical abstractwhich also gives the number of employees foreach category and sub-category.

3.5 COLLECTION OF AREPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE

Using the sectoral approach, the waste producedbetween collection intervals in each of thecategories above is sorted so that the averageweight of waste per employee per week can bedetermined.

The following procedure is recommended:

1. Select one of the four commercial categoriesfor waste characterisation.

2. Select a location which is deemed suitable to

give a reasonable representation of therequired category. It is suggested that theeasiest way to collect the samples might be asfollows:

a) retail - shopping district;

b) wholesale - industrial estate;

c) non-distribution - hotels;

d) education - schools and colleges.

3. The sample can either be collected in

conjunction with the collector of the wastefrom the selected premises or waste can becollected directly from each outletparticipating in the survey.


The best approach is to collect the waste

directly from each outlet. If this is done, thewaste generated per employee for each outletsurveyed can be calculated. As with thehousehold survey, those outlets from whichwaste is being collected should not beinformed of the survey so as to eliminatepotential bias that may be created by atemporary change in habits.

If a waste contractor is participating in the

survey, a special collection will have to bearranged with the contractor to ensure thesample is confined to the category understudy. In the above cases it is likely that thewaste collected by the contractor will bebrought to a central location prior tocollection6. Every effort should be made tokeep samples separate where different outletsare being surveyed. This is particularlyimportant for categories 1, 2 and 3 above.

4. The total number of employees from the

selected premises or outlets is recorded so thatthe average weight of waste per employee canbe determined for each activity.

5. The sample is then brought to a covered shed

for sorting. The total sample should beweighed prior to sorting.

3.6 REDUCING SAMPLE SIZE

If the sample (or samples) collected is greaterthan 300 to 400 kg in weight, the cone andquartering technique described in Section 2.4should be used to reduce the sample to amanageable size of 100 - 200 kg. This may berequired, for instance, where a large sample isobtained from an outlet such as a hotel wherewaste may be stored in large skips prior tocollection.

6 In shopping centres the waste from individual units is

often mixed making it difficult to collect separatesamples from individual retail units. Discussionswith a waste contractor may indicate a centre wherethe waste is not mixed into a compactor or skipprior to collection. Logistical difficulties mayprevent collection from individual units in whichcase it will not be possible to get theaverage weight of waste per employee per week.

3.7 CLASSIFYING THE WASTE STREAM

Having weighed the sample (or samples), thefollowing procedure is carried out.

1. Sort the sample and pick out larger items firste.g. glass, paper, plastics.

2. Fill out the attached form (Appendix D 7). 3. Any remaining material should be passed

through a 20 mm mesh sieve and classified as‘Components smaller than 20 mm roundmesh’.

4. Any unclassified material should be allocated

as Combustible or Incombustible.

The above should be carried out having dueregard to safety procedures.

The following parameters can then be calculated:

• average weight of waste per employee perweek;

• percentage by weight of each major category

in the waste stream, e.g., glass, paper etc., bycommercial sector, e.g., retail etc.;

• the percentage by weight of each sub-category

in the waste stream.

3.8 SAFE DISPOSAL OF WASTE

Arrangements should be made for appropriatewaste recovery and safe disposal of residual wasteto an authorised site following waste compositionsurveys.

7This form, which uses the European Waste Catalogue

coding system, is also available from theEnvironmental Protection Agency as an Excelspreadsheet. The spreadsheet conducts thecalculations after the weights of individual fractionshave been entered. The reader should refer to theAgency publication “European Waste Catalogue andHazardous Waste List (1996)” for furtherinformation on the European Waste Catalogue.

APPENDIX A 15

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE OF HOW TO SELECT AREPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE

The following example is for a typical Irish country town.

Sampling area: Navan and its Environs, Co. Meath.Total Population: 11706Total Number of Households: 3383Average Household Size: 3.5 persons/householdRecommended Sample Size: 260 householdsEstimated Sample Weight: 5,200 kg

Social Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7% of Population 9.17 13.27 14.10 29.85 11.38 10.64 11.60

To facilitate sampling selection, it is suggested that social classes be combined into three categories: A, B,and C.

i.e. 1,2 A, 3,4 B, 5,6 C, and evenly distributing social class 7 equally among A, B, and C.

In the case of Navan this yields the following:-

Category A B C% of Population 26.3 47.8 25.9Recommended number of houses required 69 124 67


APPENDIX B: ESTIMATING SAMPLE SIZE

The following graphs are used to quickly estimate the number of households needed for a representativesample.

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FIGURE 1: ESTIMATING SAMPLE SIZE (FOR AREAS WITH LESS THAN 4,000 HOUSEHOLDS)

APPENDIX B 17

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FIGURE 2: ESTIMATING SAMPLE SIZE (FOR AREAS WITH BETWEEN 4,000 AND 25,000 HOUSEHOLDS)


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FIGURE 3: ESTIMATING SAMPLE SIZE (FOR AREAS WITH GREATER THAN 25,000 HOUSEHOLDS)

APPENDIX C 19

APPENDIX C: PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF SAMPLE

C1: SAMPLE PREPARATION

The surplus ‘two-quarters’ from the last cone and quartering step are set aside for analysis. The twoquarters are combined and a further cone and quartering performed. Each pair of opposite quarters shouldthen be combined to form two samples, A and B. Sample A is then analysed for moisture content andsample B analysed for bulk density.

C2: MOISTURE CONTENT MEASUREMENT

To measure the moisture content of a sample, the following procedure should be followed:

1. Weigh the sample to an accuracy of not less than 0.1 kg. Record the weight as W1.

2. Spread the sample over a number of trays so that the height of the sample in any tray is not more than25cm.

3. Place in a fan-assisted oven at 90 ± 2°C for 24 hours.

4. Allow the sample to cool to room temperature and re-weigh. Record this weight as W2.

5. The moisture content (% H2O) is then calculated as follows:

%( )

H OW W

Wx2

1 21

100= −

C3: BULK DENSITY MEASUREMENT

To measure the bulk density of a sample, the following procedure should be followed:

1. Weigh a container of known volume (V1), not less than 200 litres or more than 300 litres. Record thisweight as W1.

2. Pour the sample into the container until it is overflowing.

3. Settle the contents of the container by dropping it three times from a height of 10 cm.

4. Top up the container volume with the remainder of the sample. If insufficient material is available, theunoccupied container volume (V2) should be measured.

5. Weight the container and its contents. Record this weight as W2.

For a filled container, the bulk density, as kg/ litre, is calculated as follows:

Bulk densityW W

V= −2 1

1

For a partially-filled container, the bulk density, as kg/ litre, is calculated as follows:

Bulk densityW WV V

= −−

2 11 2


APPENDIX D: MUNICIPAL WASTE COMPOSITION FORM

EWC CODE WASTE CATEGORIES WEIGHT(KG)

% OFCATEGORY

% OFTOTAL

ORGANIC WASTE20 01 08 Food waste20 02 01 Garden wasteSub-Total - organic waste 100

PAPERS20 01 01 01 Packaging20 01 01 02 Newspapers-Brochures20 01 01 03 Magazines & glossy paper20 01 01 04 Other papersSub-Total - papers 100

CARDBOARDS20 01 01 05 Flat packaging cardboard20 01 01 06 Corrugated packaging board20 01 01 07 Other cardboardsSub-Total - cardboards 100

COMPOSITES20 01 01 08 Cardboard composite packaging20 01 01 09 Liquid packaging Al20 01 01 10 Liquid packaging Non-Al18 01 04 Disposable nappies20 01 01 11 Other composite packagingSub-Total - composites 100

TEXTILES20 01 11 01 Packaging20 01 11 02 Other textilesSub-Total - textiles 100

HEALTH CARE TEXTILES20 01 11 03 Health care textilesSub-Total - health care textiles 100

PLASTICS20 01 03 01 Mixed flexible plastic20 01 03 02 Clear PVC bottles20 01 03 03 Clear PET bottles20 01 03 04 Mixed rigid plastic20 01 03 05 Opaque PVC jars & bottles20 01 03 06 Green PET jars & bottles20 01 03 07 Brown PET jars & bottles20 01 03 08 PE Bottles20 01 03 09 Supermarket bags20 01 03 10 Other plastic packaging20 01 04 Other plastic waste (Styrofoam)Sub-Total - plastics 100

Household Commercial Project Manager: Date:

Sample Location: Address:

APPENDIX D 21

EWC WASTE CATEGORIES WEIGHT(KG)

% OFCATEGORY

% OFTOTAL

GLASS20 01 02 01 Green glass packaging20 01 02 02 Clear glass packaging20 01 02 03 Brown glass packaging20 01 02 04 Packaging glass other colour20 01 02 05 Other glass wasteSub-Total - glass 100

METALS20 01 05 01 Ferrous metal packaging20 01 05 02 Other ferrous metal waste20 01 05 03 Aluminium packaging20 01 05 04 Other aluminium waste20 01 05 05 Other metal packaging20 01 06 Other metal wasteSub-Total - metals 100

SPECIAL MUNICIPAL WASTE20 01 12 Paints, ink, pastes and resins20 01 13 Solvents20 01 16 Detergents20 01 17 Photochemicals20 01 19 Pesticides20 01 20 Batteries and accumulators20 01 21 Fluorescent tubes and other mercury

containing wastes20 01 22 Aerosols20 01 24 Electronic equipment20 01 27 Other special domestic wasteSub-Total - special municipal waste 100

UNCLASSIFIED COMBUSTIBLES20 01 25 01 Wood Packaging20 01 25 02 Other combustible packaging20 01 25 03 Other unclassified combustiblesSub-Total - unclassified combustibles 100

UNCLASSIFIED INCOMBUSTIBLES20 01 26 01 Unclassified incombustible packaging20 01 26 02 Other unclassified incombustiblesSub-Total - unclassified incombustibles 100

Components smaller than 20 mm round mesh

20 01 28 Fine elements smaller than 20 mm roundmesh

Sub-Total - components less than 20 mm 100

TOTAL 100

HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

SAMPLE WEIGHT:

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS:

COMMERCIAL SURVEY

SAMPLE WEIGHT:

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES:


APPENDIX E: GUIDELINE ON WASTE CATEGORIESUSED FOR THE SEPARATION ANALYSIS

EWC Code WASTE DETAILSORGANIC WASTE

20 01 18 Food Waste20 02 01 Yard & Garden waste

PAPER20 01 01 01 Packaging Paper bags, wrapping paper.20 01 01 02 Newspaper - brochures Newspapers, ads printed on same paper20 01 01 03 Magazines & glossy paper20 01 01 04 Other papers Envelopes, letterheads, computer printouts

CARDBOARDS20 01 01 05 Flat packing cardboards Cornflake boxes, biscuit boxes

washing powder boxes20 01 01 06 Corrugated packing cardboards20 01 01 07 Other cardboards

COMPOSITES20 01 01 08 Cardboard composite packaging Composites of various materials (paper, plastics),

coffee bags....20 01 01 09 Liquid packaging aluminium Tetrapak (fruit-juice foil-lined containers...)20 01 01 10 Liquid packaging non- aluminium Tetrapak (milk cartons, cream cartons....)18 01 04 Disposable nappies20 01 01 11 Other composites

TEXTILES20 01 11 01 Packaging Net for fruits and vegetables (onions, potatoes....)20 01 11 02 Other textiles Clothes and rags in natural fibres (cotton, wool,

linen....), and synthetic fibres (hoses and stockings,travel and sports bags in cloth, canvas..)

HEALTH CARE TEXTILES20 01 11 03 Health care textiles Sanitary towels, cotton swabs, tissues, household

paper.PLASTICS

20 01 03 01 Mixed flexible plastic Refuse bags, plastic wrappers for food20 01 03 02 Clear PVC bottles Flat or sparkling mineral water, oil, vinegar,

cleaners.....20 01 03 03 Clear PET bottle Sparkling water, soft drinks20 01 03 04 Mixed rigid plastic Toothbrushes, toys, biro’s.20 01 03 05 Opaque PVC jars and bottles20 01 03 06 Green PET jars and bottles20 01 03 07 Brown PET jars and bottles20 01 03 08 PE bottles Milk container, detergent, shampoo, fabric-

conditioner20 01 03 09 Supermarket bags20 01 03 10 Other plastic packaging20 01 04 Other plastic waste Styrofoam

APPENDIX E 23

EWC Code WASTE DETAILSGLASS

20 01 02 01 Green Glass packaging20 01 02 02 Clear Glass packaging20 01 02 03 Brown Glass packaging20 01 02 04 Packaging glass other colours20 01 02 05 Other glass waste Flat glass, light bulbs

METALS20 01 05 01 Ferrous metal packaging Tin cans, (pet food, beans, some beer cans.....)20 01 05 02 Other ferrous metal waste Steel bars...20 01 05 03 Aluminium packaging Soft-drink and beer cans20 01 05 04 Other aluminium waste Household aluminium (foil, yoghurt caps, milk bottle

caps,...)20 01 05 05 Other metal packaging20 01 06 Other metal waste Iron bars, copper pipe, lead (pure, bulk-metal)

UNCLASSIFIED COMBUSTIBLES20 01 25 01 Wood packaging Crates, cartons, cheese boxes, fruit trays20 01 25 02 Other combustible packaging20 01 25 03 Other unclassified combustibles Wood (boards... ) leather (shoes, purses) rubber,

bonesUNCLASSIFIED INCOMBUSTIBLES

20 01 26 01 Unclassified incombustiblepackaging

20 01 26 02 Other unclassified incombustibles Insert materials not classified under other categories(rubbles, rocks, ceramic, shells...)

Additional Information on Classifying Materials

PET: Generally easy to recognise ( rounded bottom edges, nipple on the base) mineral-water, soft-drinkbottles.

PVC: Normally clear, used for mineral water, squashes etc.; they can be identified by the base - a smile (aline with a dimple) on either side; when stood on they show signs (white lines) of stress. (Cookingoil can be in PET or PVC bottles thus it is important to examine the base closely).

PE: Can be clear or colored such as detergent, fabric-conditioner bottles.

USER COMMENT FORM 25

USER COMMENT FORM

Completed comments to be forwarded to: The Environmental Management and Planning Division,Environmental Protection Agency, Ardcavan, Wexford

Document Title: Methodology for Conducting Waste Characterisation on Municipal Waste

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INFORMATION:

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NAME: .............................................................. ORGANISATION: ................................................

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RECENT PUBLICATIONS 27

Selected Environmental Protection Agency Publications

National Waste Database - Report for 1995 (1996) £15*European Waste Catalogue and Hazardous Waste List (1996) £5*Handbook on Urban Wastewater Treatment. (1996) £15*Landfill Manual Investigations for Landfills. (1995) £15Landfill Manual Landfill Monitoring. (1995) £15State of the Environment Report in Ireland. (1996) £30The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland A Report for the Year 1994 and a Review £15*of the Period 1992-1994. (1996)Water Treatment Manual Filtration. (1995) £15Waste Water Treatment Manual Preliminary Treatment. (1995) £15Dioxins in the Irish Environment An assessment based on levels in cows’ milk. (1996) £5Lough Ree An Investigation of Eutrophication and its Causes £20

A full list of publications is available on request (see below). Items marked * will beavailable in June 1996.................................................................. .......................................................................

Order Form

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municipal waste characterisation stream analysis can be defined as any programme which involves a...

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