Abstract

This report presents the results of sorting analyses with household waste, collected after separate collection at source in the municipality of Weert. Weert is one of the pilot projects, mentioned in the Packaging Convention, an agreement between the Government and the packaging industry in order to reduce the amount of packaging waste. In one pilot district of Weert (1,000 households) every single household is provided with two wheeled bins. The first, a weekly collected 240-litre dual-chamber wheeled bin, contains a putrescible fraction (garden, fruit and vegatables called 'GFV') and a residual fraction; the second wheeled bin (single compartment) is collected two times a month and contains a mixture of valuable dry components (paper/cardborad, plastics, metals and textile). The GFV-fraction is composted and the valuable fraction is separated for further recovery and recycling. In this report the results of the second series of sorting analyses, which took place in november 1991, are discussed. Besides, an (interim) evaluation of the sorting analyses, carried out that year, is given. A provisionally estimate, based on the results of the analysis, completed with the overall amounts of waste collected during the year 1991, showed that 57% of refuse has been recycled. To calculate the actual recycling rate, more information about some uncertainties is needed, for instance: - The seasonal variations and the reduction of weight due to evaporation in the putrescible fraction; - The actual amount of waste, collected with so called bring-systems (paper, glass) from participating households; - The actual market of valuable components - The total amount of bulky waste