After the Survey

Following the waste characterisation survey, the collected data must be compiled into a useful format. The steps involved are different for mixed wastes and segregated waste.

Segregated waste

• From the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet’ the daily totals of each material generated should be calculated.
• The daily totals of segregated waste for each waste material will be transferred to an electronic spreadsheet which will display the data in graph form.

Mixed waste

Each ‘waste source’ needs to be calculated separately.

1. Determine total quantity generated from each ‘waste source’ (for example the canteen)
   • From the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet’, the total quantity of mixed waste generated each day from each ‘waste source’ must be calculated, for example total daily waste arisings from the canteen of 154 Kg.
   • This figure should be entered into ‘Total Waste Arisings’ (sampled & non-sampled) box for each ‘waste source’ (i.e. canteen) in the electronic spreadsheet.
2. Determine composition of sorted mixed waste from each ‘waste source’ (for example the canteen)
   • From the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet’, the daily totals of sorted mixed waste should be calculated.
   • The daily totals of mixed sorted waste for each waste material should be transferred on to the ‘Mixed Waste’ tabs of the electronic spreadsheet (maximum of six ‘waste sources’). For example, mixed waste arising from the offices of an organisation will be input into a different ‘mixed waste’ tab than mixed waste arising from the canteen.
   • The spreadsheets will then automatically calculate the composition of the waste (segregated waste and mixed waste) and the totals are presented in the ‘Summary’ tab of the 'Waste Characterisation Worksheet'(xls).

Establish the frequency of non-routine waste and record these details. Non-routine wastes arise as a result of non-routine activities such as stock clearance, maintenance, refurbishment of premises and so on. These waste are not typical of the daily wastes arising on site and may include waste such as construction and demolition waste, obsolete electrical equipment, obsolete furniture and so on. Based on this data, daily estimates of non-routine waste should be estimated and inserted onto the spreadsheet.