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2.3 Topic g: Waste characterization

European countries are probably the most advanced in the world in terms of preparing and maintaining updated composition and characterization information. Solid waste programs routinely perform waste sorts in their development phase, and national statistics offices maintain yearly standard composition figures, which are used as the basis of system planning. Nevertheless, some European composition studies only take a waste sample from one season, instead of all four seasons.

The results of the waste composition studies are generally used in national and regional projections and in planning for collection systems and disposal capacity. They are sometimes to evaluate the success of separate collection programs, and sometimes also to indicate to producers what their responsibilities in relation to the waste stream are.

Given variations in economic development, climate, diet, and culture, it is hardly surprising that composition varies considerably from country to country in Europe. Composition of mixed waste also varies due to differences in source separation protocols. In spite of this, some generalizations about composition are possible.

• The two largest waste streams in Europe, by far, are organics and paper. Depending on climate and country, these two waste streams combined account for between 50% and 80% of residential waste. It differs by country which of these two waste streams is the largest, but in most cases organics account for more waste by weight, ranging from 25% to 65% of residential MSW, while paper values are more constant, hovering between 20% and 40% by weight in most cases.
• Depending on packaging mix, the relative quantities of glass, plastics, and metals may shift from country to country. These three materials together may account for as little as 10% and as much as 25% of residential waste by weight. When textiles, usually in the range of 2-5% by weight, are added, these materials plus paper and organics largely account for the waste stream.
• Household hazardous wastes, present in European waste streams at 1-4% of residential waste by weight, are far more important in terms of environmental implications than their quantity would indicate.
• The waste stream in Eastern European countries tends to be higher in putrescibles and lower in glass, plastics, and metals than the Western European stream, consistent with the former countries' generally less advanced state of economic development.

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