Conducting the Survey

At each ‘waste source’, two categories of waste will be generated:

(a) Segregated waste streams – These waste streams will be homogenous and consist of material of a single type, for example cardboard, paper, plastic, food waste etc.

(b) Mixed waste streams – These waste streams will be heterogeneous in nature and consist of mixed waste of various types. The characterisation of this waste stream is more difficult.

The procedures involved in characterising each of these waste streams is presented below:

Segregated waste

1. All segregated waste must be sorted and weighed.
2. Weigh the empty containers that the sorted waste will be placed into. Record these weights on each container.
3. The waste can then be sorted. Segregated wastes can be sorted easily. All segregated wastes should be sorted into the materials listed in the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet – see Waste Audit Worksheets. For example, waste glass must be sorted into ‘glass packaging’ and ‘other glass’.
4. Each of these fractions must be weighed independently and the total values recorded (excluding the weight of the container) in the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet.

Mixed waste

1. As the mixed waste is collected at each ‘waste source’, each bag/box of waste should be labelled with the day/date and source of the waste, as follows:

   MIXED WASTE
   Day/Date	Fri 29th April 05
   Waste Source	Canteen

2. As the labelled mixed waste arrives at the ‘waste collection area’ all waste bags/boxes should be weighed and the details recorded in the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet.
3. Weigh the empty containers that the sorted waste will be placed into. Record these weights on each container.
4. Only representative samples of mixed waste must be sorted and weighed.
   • During the survey period randomly take samples of mixed waste (>10kg) from each of the ‘waste sources’.
   • The number of samples, which are sorted and characterised from each ‘waste source’, should be representative of the total volume of waste produced from each ‘waste source’. For example, if ten bags of mixed waste arise from the offices of an organisation per day and only two bags of mixed waste are produced from the canteen then the sampling regime should reflect this ratio.
   • The greater the number of mixed waste samples which are characterised, the more accurate the results will be. Attempt to characterise as many samples as time allows.
5. The waste samples can then be sorted.
   • Sort the mixed waste into the waste materials specified in the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet. For example, waste wood must be sorted into ‘wood packaging’ and ‘other wood’.
   • Each of these fractions must be weighed independently and the total values recorded (excluding the weight of the container) in the ‘Waste Collection Area Worksheet'.