Waste collection systems for recyclables: An environmental and economic assessment for the municipality of Aarhus (Denmark)

Journal Article · Sat May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Waste Management

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2009.10.021· OSTI ID:21357661

Merrild, H; Moller, J; Christensen, T H ^[1]

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1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby (Denmark)

Recycling of paper and glass from household waste is an integrated part of waste management in Denmark, however, increased recycling is a legislative target. The questions are: how much more can the recycling rate be increased through improvements of collection schemes when organisational and technical limitations are respected, and what will the environmental and economic consequences be? This was investigated in a case study of a municipal waste management system. Five scenarios with alternative collection systems for recyclables (paper, glass, metal and plastic packaging) were assessed by means of a life cycle assessment and an assessment of the municipality's costs. Kerbside collection would provide the highest recycling rate, 31% compared to 25% in the baseline scenario, but bring schemes with drop-off containers would also be a reasonable solution. Collection of recyclables at recycling centres was not recommendable because the recycling rate would decrease to 20%. In general, the results showed that enhancing recycling and avoiding incineration was recommendable because the environmental performance was improved in several impact categories. The municipal costs for collection and treatment of waste were reduced with increasing recycling, mainly because the high cost for incineration was avoided. However, solutions for mitigation of air pollution caused by increased collection and transport should be sought.

• OSTI ID: 21357661
• Journal Information: Waste Management, Vol. 30, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2009.10.021; PII: S0956-053X(09)00469-3; Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
AIR POLLUTION
COMBUSTION
CONTAINERS
COST
DENMARK
GLASS
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
METALS
MITIGATION
MUNICIPAL WASTES
PLASTICS
RECYCLING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
EUROPE
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXIDATION
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
POLYMERS
SCANDINAVIA
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTES
WESTERN EUROPE