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. 2024 Mar 9:12:102626.
doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102626. eCollection 2024 Jun.

A method for determining the recycling value of unprocessed municipal solid waste in one cubic meter waste composition analysis technique

N Arosha Hemali  1 , A A P De Alwis  1   2   3 , M Wijesundara  4 , L G L M Edirisinghe  1
Affiliations

A method for determining the recycling value of unprocessed municipal solid waste in one cubic meter waste composition analysis technique

N Arosha Hemali et al. MethodsX. .

Abstract

The transition from conventional landfill-centric waste management to resource-centric methodologies necessitates an enhanced comprehension of municipal solid waste (MSW) composition and its inherent value. Existing methodologies documented in the literature exhibit a lack of standardization, impending the formulation of a systematic engineering approach for MSW characterization and valuation. This study introduces a methodology specifically tailored to discern the composition of waste origination from urban households and evaluate its recyclability within the confines of a circular economy framework, Employing a volume-based measurement approach, aims to estimate the recycling value of waste materials. The study's outcomes contribute significantly to quantifying the potential recycling value that accrues to society. Furthermore, the validation of the proposed protocol elucidates the dynamic nature of recyclable value as it traverses the intricate pathways of the waste supply chain. This insight facilitates the formulation of commercial models grounded in circular economy principles for the effective management of household solid waste. Empirical findings reveal that the total recycling value fluctuates within the range of USD 3.39 and USD 5.76 per cubic meter of waste volume, contingent upon the specific waste composition at the experiment site. Additionally, the proposed methodology uncovers the nuanced variability in MSW composition and recycling value across diverse household collection patterns, identifying mixed plastic, paper, cardboard, mixed MSW, and clothing as primary constituents. The application of this methodology extends beyond mere quantification, providing a foundational framework for simulating the latent recycling value embedded within MSW samples. This, in turn, offers invaluable support to strategy developers, policymakers, and entrepreneurial ventures engaged in the sustainable management of household solid waste. In essence, this study establishes the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of MSW composition and its recyclability, facilitating informed decision-making in the pursuit of a circular economy.•Novel methodology based on one cubic meter (1m3) composition analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).•A new method to evaluate the recycling value of Municipal Solid Waste.•A basis for business model development for the waste-to-resource conversion model.

Keywords: A method for determining the recycling value of unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste in One Cubic meter Waste Composition analysis technique; Circular economy; Resource circulation; Waste symbiosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image, graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Design of the 1m3 vol waste measuring frame (metal cube).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sampling and composition analysis process in one cubic meter volume and extrapolation to the waste dump.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mixed MSW at the dump site at Karadiyana, filled to one cubic meter frame and waste categories.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Total recyclable value of 1 m3 of waste materials as of Aug 2023 for 60 test samples.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
a & b- Material recyclable value variation along the supply channel (Value at the gate-in point).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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