A Sampling Protocol for Composting,Recycling, and Re-use of Municipal Solid Waste |
| |
| Authors: | John H Martin Alan R Collins Robert G Diener PE |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Former Projects Committee Chairman , West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board , Charleston , West Virginia , USA;2. Division of Resource Management , West Virginia University , Morgantown , West Virginia , USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract This article reports on development of a protocol for characterizing municipal solid waste (MSW). This protocol is similar to that recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials but includes a distinction between pure and mixed loads of MSW. Thirteen component categories were used with a focus on material feed stock for composting, recycling, and reuse. The required number of samples was determined to achieve a 80%, 90%, and 95% statistical accuracy for characterizing MSW categories at 1% and 2% sampling error. This study found that a maximum of 25 randomly collected samples of 200 pounds will reflect each component category of mixed load MSW with at least a 95% confidence level and 2% error. This protocol was successfully tested in Monongalia County, West Virginia, to provide a “snapshot” MSW characterization during early summer. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
