Abstract

This report presents the results of sorting analyses with domestic waste, collected in a newly built district in the municipality of Almere. Since 1985 the composition of domestic waste of Almere has been analysed, similar to sorting analyses in four basic-districts. Since 1988 the domestic waste is collected in 240 l. wheeled bins instead of waste disposal bags. In this study the relation between differences in collection method and waste-composition has been investigated. With a distribution-free statistical test the composition of domestic waste, collected with 240 l. wheeled bins, is compared with the composition of waste, collected before the introduction of wheeled bins (1985-1987). Also a comparison is made with the composition of mean Dutch domestic waste, collected with bags in four basic-districts. The tests on 14 major waste-components and several sub-categories showed a few differences, which could be associated with the use of the wheeled bin instead of the use of disposal bags: - a relative increase in ceramics and cardboard; - a decrease in plastic waste disposal bags. Other differences in waste composition are more likely to be related with differences or trends in socio-economic variables, participation levels in separate collection (glass, cans) or the avarage quantity of domestic waste each household produce.