Inconsistent pathways of household waste

Journal Article · Mon Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Waste Management

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.12.004· OSTI ID:21269327

Dahlen, Lisa ^[1]; Aberg, Helena ^[2]; Lagerkvist, Anders ^[1]; Berg, Per E.O. ^[3]

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1. Division of Waste Science and Technology, Lulea University of Technology, SE, 971 87 Lulea (Sweden)
2. Department of Food, Health and Environment, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 12204, SE, 402 42 Gothenburg (Sweden)
3. HB Anttilator, Stagnellsgatan 3, SE, 652 23, Karlstad (Sweden)

The aim of this study was to provide policy-makers and waste management planners with information about how recycling programs affect the quantities of specific materials recycled and disposed of. Two questions were addressed: which factors influence household waste generation and pathways? and how reliable are official waste data? Household waste flows were studied in 35 Swedish municipalities, and a wide variation in the amount of waste per capita was observed. When evaluating the effect of different waste collection policies, it was found to be important to identify site-specific factors influencing waste generation. Eleven municipal variables were investigated in an attempt to explain the variation. The amount of household waste per resident was higher in populous municipalities and when net commuting was positive. Property-close collection of dry recyclables led to increased delivery of sorted metal, plastic and paper packaging. No difference was seen in the amount of separated recyclables per capita when weight-based billing for the collection of residual waste was applied, but the amount of residual waste was lower. Sixteen sources of error in official waste statistics were identified and the results of the study emphasize the importance of reliable waste generation and composition data to underpin waste management policies.

• OSTI ID: 21269327
• Journal Information: Waste Management, Journal Name: Waste Management Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 29; ISSN WAMAE2; ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PACKAGING
PLASTICS
RECYCLING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES