Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes

1. Prof. M.R.Ezhilkumar
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology
Coimbatore
ezhilkumar@skcet.ac.in
I only feel angry when I see waste.
When I see people throwing away things
we could use. – Mother Teresa
1
17CE413
SOLID AND HAZARDOUS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
1.4 – Sampling Protocols

2. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 2
 Purpose of sampling
 Sampling methods
 Characteristics of sampling
 Factors affecting the sampling characterization
1.4 – Sampling Protocols
Learning Outcomes

3. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 3
Video Session 1

4. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 4
Video Session 2

5. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 5
Purpose of sampling
Sampling is Regarded as representative
if the actual substance relations are evaluated,
Correct: The estimation is given with the demanded
accuracy and no systematic errors have been committed.
Reproducible: The statement guarantees for equivalent
results under comparable conditions.
Reliable: The targets are achieved at an acceptable risk
(for instance economic efforts, probability the required
accuracy of the results, consequences of wrong
decisions).

6. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 6
Sampling methods
Sampling Protocols
MSW consists of a range of materials that vary in composition depending on,
1. The community and its consumers’ income and lifestyle
2. Degree of industrialization
3. Institutionalization
4. Commercialism
 Based on these variables, several protocols can be adopted to estimate the
MSW composition for location.

7. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 7
Sampling methods
Sampling Protocols
In order to compile accurate data, several issues must be addressed,
How to obtain the representative samples of the MSW?
What is the desired sample size?
How many samples are needed to achieve a desired
level of accuracy?

8. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 8
Sampling methods
Sampling Protocols
1. Direct sampling
2. Material flow
3. Surveys
4. Multipliers for projecting waste quantities

9. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 9
Sampling methods
Sampling Protocols
1. Direct sampling
 Useful on a small scale data collection about MSW composition
 Involves physical sampling and sorting of MSW at the source of generation
 One of the more accurate characterisation method
 To achieve accuracy, samples must be collected randomly from several locations
within the community
 Sampling from Single & Multifamily homes, Commercial and institutional
establishments is encouraged as they act as a local variant inputs to the MSW.

10. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 10
Sampling methods
Sampling Protocols
1. Direct sampling
 Other way of direct sampling is studying its characteristics after the MSW arrives
the central collection point (Transfer station or Disposal facility)
 ASTM D5231-92 recommends the sample size of 91-136kg from manual sorting
 One drawback about this methods is due to the occurrence of unexpected
circumstances mislead to the data error
 Delivery of infrequent and exotic waste
 Combined wet & dry waste
 Error in sampling methods
 Expensive when adopted for estimating on a national scale

11. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 11
Sampling methods
Sampling Protocols
2. Material Flow
 Another approach of estimation on the waste composition
 Useful for estimating waste stream composition and trends on a regional basis
 EPA uses for the data compilation on waste data for the USA
 The methodology is based on material production data and products in the waste
stream
 For a municipality, the material input and output is recorded and compared
 This is an over simplified method unless proper database is made available in all
process

12. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 12
Sampling methods
Sampling Protocols
3. Surveys
 Through this method, questionnaires are distributed to generators of waste
 Most applicable to generators of commercial and industrial wastes and not for
domestic sources
 The questionnaire contains an explicit details concerning the quantity and
composition of waste generated
 But still this method is difficult due to the concerns over the release of company
and proprietary information

13. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 13
Sampling methods
Components of a sampling program
The Following defines the Overall objective of the sampling,
1) Selection of parameters
2) Selection of sampling location
3) Time & Frequency of sampling
4) Mode of sampling
5) Selection of sampling equipment
6) Sample Handling & Preservation

14. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 14
Characteristics of sampling
Sampling process
 Have Representative samples
 Greater the number of samples more the accuracy
 Greater the variation, more should be the samples
 Continue Sample for a week (8 days)
 Sampling location: Mostly at MSW Facility and not at the Place of generation
(expensive and less valid)
 Cover as many different sectors of the target area as possible
 Selecting samples : Every nth truck/every nth ton of waste /a truck every nth
minutes; Random sampling (crew may be idle/work over time)

15. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 15
Characteristics of sampling
Sampling procedure
 Vehicle Unloading
 Sample Selection and Retrieval
 Container Preparation
 Sample Placement
 Sorting

16. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 16
Characteristics of sampling
Sampling Collection
► Sample size (100 kg)
► Sampling method
o Coning and quartering
• Reduces variation among samples
• More Sampling time/space
• Need for a front end loader
• Increases sorting time and promotes loss of moisture
• Waste stratification
• Random Grab sample & Composite sample
► Number of samples

17. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 17
Characteristics of sampling
Sorting and Weighing
© Sorting areas
© Sorting containers
© Container labelling
© Sorting process
© Weighing samples
© Disposal of samples
© Visual Characterisation of bulky waste

18. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 18
Factors influencing the waste characters during sampling
Variability affecting waste sampling
1. Seasonal
2. Regional
3. Household
4. National Economy

19. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 19
Factors influencing the waste characters during sampling
Variability affecting waste sampling
1. Seasonal

20. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 20
Factors influencing the waste characters during sampling
Variability affecting waste sampling
2. Regional

21. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 21
Factors influencing the waste characters during sampling
Variability affecting waste sampling
3. Household

22. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 22
Factors influencing the waste characters during sampling
Variability affecting waste sampling
4. National Economy

23. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 23
Assessment Time
Review
Question Suggest a sampling protocol for a bio-medical waste for a
proper estimation and quantification of waste composition.

24. SHWM – Module 1 – Characteristics and Sources of Municipal Solid Wastes  Mr.M.R.Ezhilkumar 24