ecogestus waste characterization - waste audit
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Waste characterization ECOGESTUS – WASTE STREAM AUDIT, this guide will walk you through the key steps in
performing a waste stream. Our company has the background and an extend experience in waste
characterization projects. Read on and let us help you to save money respecting the environment.
1. Background
WHAT is a waste characterization?
Waste characterization also called waste stream
audit, is a formal, structured process by which the
quantity and types of different waste streams is
analyzed. Information from audits will help identify
current waste practices and how they can be
improved.
WHY conduct a waste audit?
In order to measure progress towards waste
prevention, reduction, and recycling goals, it is
important that detailed, accurate and up-to-date
information regarding the composition of waste is
maintained.
���� Determine what type and quantities of
waste are being generated will enable target
waste streams to be identified for action, and will
enable the effects of prevention and minimization
policies to be measured.
���� Packaging Waste Recovery: National
targets must be met for recycling and recovery of
packaging waste. In order to measure the
performance the composition of waste being
landfilled and sent for the recovery must be
established.
���� Waste Management Planning: Accurate
and up-to-date information on the waste being
generated is essential for forward planning of waste
management on a national, regional or local
authority level
���� Development of Waste Management
Infrastructure: Identification of waste stream
composition for facilities such as recycling MRFs,
composting plants and waste-to-energy plants is an
important consideration in their design and
operation.
���� Company Specific and Sector Specific
Waste Campaigns: In the commercial and industrial
sectors, the improved data available will be useful
to individual sectors (or companies) in targeting
areas for improved waste management.
HOW to conduct a waste
characterization?
Conducting a waste characterization requires a
qualified team that knows how to proceed
effectively during each phase and be aware of all
the dangers and risks that may arise during the
project (see below for further information about
possible hazards and risk).
To perform an accurate analysis is necessary to
know all possible waste sources and their nature;
control/audit all the present waste flows (if waste is
disposed along unsorted waste and then landfilled,
or if it is recycled and treated effectively); evaluate
all wrongdoings on waste segregation, waste
disposal and waste treatment; and suggest/perform
improvements on the waste management.
Ecogestus has the background and an extend
experience in waste characterization procedures,
with many projects successfully developed in
shopping centers all along Europe (Germany,
Greece, Italy, etc.). Our multidisciplinary team with
experience, nationally and internationally, allows us
to recommend the best solutions.
The four basic
steps to
perform a waste
stream audit
are:
• Plan de audit
• Collect the waste
• Sort the waste
• Analyze the data
But a waste
characterization is
not exempt of risk
and must be always
be performed by
trained and
specialized
personnel.
Waste characterization guide - 2010
2. Waste flow
What is the waste flow? An adequate waste audit should have an extend knowledge of
the general waste flow; determining all the possible sources
and their nature.
Quantifying and identifying waste from municipalities is a
difficult task. This is due to the fact that there are a number of
different waste streams being generated by a variety of
producers. Although systems differ between sites; it is
generally the case that waste from a number of sources is
disposed of via the same route.
Why is important to determine it?
The varying waste streams include urban waste both domestic
and streets paper bins, waste from commercial
establishments, industrial waste, healthcare waste, schools,
etc.
Compliance may involve a desktop review of documentation
and procedures and a visual audit. Operating costs will require
details on exactly what waste is being generated, where and
by whom. Identifying the scope of the project and sample size
will also allow determining easier what equipment and
resources will be needed to conduct the audit. A physical
waste stream audit of the whole waste stream will require
more costs and resources than a visual inspection.
How and What determine in the waste
flow?
Before conducting the waste characterization is important to
make a visual inspection to the area to be audited, and
determine who uses each bin-container, who and when are
emptied, and how is the waste treated/disposed after the
collection. The waste then should be analyzed by stream or
process. It is important to use categories that will be
meaningful to those reviewing the results. The more detailed
description allows estimates of the cost of the waste to be
determined.
At this level, each stream should be recorded by weight and
volume. The weight is a precise measure to make accurate
extrapolations; it will also allow accurate cost savings in terms
of waste disposal to be estimated. Volume is an indicator of
the systems that will be required to contain, transport and
consolidate waste on-site.
Recommendation
The date of the date should be kept secret, otherwise they
waste behaviors may change and the audit will not represent
normal waste practices. Equipment for audits
• Secure, well ventilated work
area, sheltered from sun, wind
and rain
• A large table
• Buckets of different sizes
• Accurate scales
• Data sheets
• Disinfectant and cleaning
tools
• Garbage bags
• Safety equipment, first aid kit
and plenty of water
Waste characterization guide - 2010
3. Steps to do in an audit STEP 1 – Define the study area and collect background
information
In this first step is important to set audit objectives,
determines locations to be audited and determine types and
approximate quantities of waste to be audited. Clearly
identifying what you want out of the audit will determine the
methodology to follow.
It is essential to visit the location to determine the number,
types and locations of bins and containers; determine the
types of waste seen and determine who empties the bins and
when.
STEP 2 – Select representative samples for the waste
characterization
It is necessary a thorough knowledge of all the waste sources
and their nature, and it is essential to be aware of their later
disposal, in order to achieve a global view of the waste flow.
We generally audit a 24-hour sample of the total waste,
allowing us to relate the quantity generated to productive
hours, and extrapolate the data. Determining the appropriate
sample to audit, is important in order to ensure that
extrapolations of costs and savings are accurate.
STEP 3 – Weigh all the waste in each bag/container to
measure the total bulk of waste, prior to opening and
starting characterization
STEP 4 – Pour out the waste on a table and start separating
the different components
This phase involves many risks, and never should be
performed by non qualified persons. Sharp and needle items
could be present within the mixed waste and they must be
handled carefully.
In this step is crucial to record as much detail as possible to
allow identifying the real reason for the waste being
generated.
STEP 5 – Weigh each category of waste
After every component is segregated, each category is
weighed separately in order to determine the percentage out
of the total waste generated for each component.
STEP 6 – Take notes of excess waste that could be easily
recycled rather than being thrown into garbage, and clean
the working area and equipment.
STEP 7 – Report all the information acquired on the audit,
and propose possible improvements on the waste
management.
With the information collected during the audit is possible to
determine the present situation of the waste management,
determine waste flows, recycling efficiency rates, waste
treatment costs, associated risks, etc.
Knowing the starting point is easier to define targets and goals
in order to improve waste segregation efficiency. In order to
measure progress towards national waste prevention,
reduction, and recycling goals, it is important that detailed,
accurate and up-to-date information regarding the
composition of municipal waste is maintained
The next step will determine possible future scenarios (whit
different increases on the rate of recyclables, better waste
treatments…), and will mark the guidelines to follow and
improvements to perform. The establishment of target and
goals will determine the development of waste management
infrastructure, company specific and sector specific waste
campaigns, and a general waste management planning.
Waste components
• Organics (food leftovers), including
liquids from bottles
• Contaminated Cardboard/Paper
• Cardboard/ Paper (clean/recyclable)
• Various Plastics (Clean/recyclable);
packaging, plastic film...
• Contaminated plastics (cups, plates,
taps...)
• Complex materials, including
Tretapak/brik packaging
• Metals (Aluminium and Ferrous)
• Glass packaging
• WEEE including batteries, tonners and
fluorescent bulbs/tubes
• Textiles
• Hazardous household
• Fines (< 1.5 cm)
Waste characterization guide - 2010
4. Hazards and risks
A waste stream audit is not exempt of risks. Therefore this
practice should be always performed by trained and specialized
personnel.
Auditing on-site is the most convenient, but it presents certain
hazards that must be addressed. The working area should be
free from vehicles and personnel movements; it should be
sheltered from the elements and be large enough to hold the
entire waste sample.
The table below shows the associated hazards of a waste
characterization project:
Task/operation WASTE CHARACTERISATION
HAZARDS RISK Method Adopted to Avoid, Reduce or Control Hazard
Sharps and Needle
stick injury (needles,
syringes,
glass, razor, nails)
Laceration, cuts and bruises,
infection, lockjaw (tetanus)
Hepatitis B,C ,
Vaccinations available. Visually check the work area; wear
anti-syringe gloves and litter picker where possible. latex
gloves, skin barrier creams, disposal clothing, safety shoes.
Supervision is required to ensure that par time workers are
not over exposed, particularly when vaccinations not
practicable.
Slips, trips and falls Low Regular cleaning regime.
Machinery
Low risk of hearing damage.
Microbiological agents and
organic dust. Risk of crushing,
hitting, bruising,
amputation
PPE (Ear defenders) worn around noisy equipment; Dust
mask. Employees shall not enter unauthorised areas of the
facil ity unless under supervision.
TrafficLow risk of Crushing, fractures,
cuts, bruises, head injury.
High visibil ity clothing worn at all times. Staff to be warned
of traffic risks.
Manual HandlingLow risk of sprains, strains and
back injury
Assess the load before lifting; Bend from the knees and keep
the back straight. Carry two lots of buckets as opposed to
one load
Do not l ift the load if you feel it is too heavy, get help from a
colleague
Do not reach into the bins, get help to tip the bin onto the
table or use a l itter picker.
Falling objects Low risk of head injury
Set-up the waste characterisation table away from areas
where there is a possibil ity of fall ing objects from overhead
conveyors.
Temperature LowWear suitable clothing for the weather; warm clothing
usually required when working outside. Source: EPA (Environmental protection agency), Ireland
The following are examples of types of areas that should be
included and taken in mind in the risk assessments before
conducting the audit:
• Hazards associated with the waste itself
• The weight, volume or density of material and equipment
• The working area
• The audit process
• Storage and movement o the waste
• Surrounding environment
The audit is a hazardous process which requires careful
planning to ensure the safety of those conducting the audit,
others on-site and the safety of the environment.
Important: The waste should not be sorted near
environmentally sensitive areas or near storm water drains or
other water ways, to avoid environmental risks in case of
spills.
Safety of staff
Ensuring the safety of the sorters is
crucial. Training, safety equipment and
tetanus shots must be organized to ensure
sorters and safe from potential hazards
associated with handling and sorting
waste.
Before the audit a risk assessment must
be carried out
For further information, please contact us:
ECOGESTUS Lda.
Rua Afonso IV, 23, 2º
Portugal Tel.: +351233109034
e-mail: contacto@ecogestus.com
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