Easy Estimation of Mixed Municipal Solid Waste Characteristics from Component Analysis

A reevaluation of the physical and chemical characteristics of individual components of municipal solid waste (MSW) is done, with a focus on the Indian subcontinent. Whereas previous studies reported average characteristics of the mixed-waste stream, the availability of characteristics of individual component fractions can be beneficial for the formulation of waste management strategies and policies. To facilitate an easy theoretical estimation of waste characteristics and simplify the decision making, physicochemical characteristics of individual components reported by previous researchers have been relied on. Accounting for the influence of source segregation, seasonal fluctuations, and economic constraints, this study aims to experimentally characterize individual components of mixed MSW generated in Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Kochi, and Guwahati, which are located in different zones of India, over different seasons. This minimizes the uncertainties and increases the reliability of the characterization studies in India. The study gives a detailed account of the methodology for the same and indicates the application of the data thus derived in formulating sustainable waste management strategies. Proximate and ultimate analyses, heat content, C/N ratio, H/Ceff ratio, air requirement, potential flue-gas release, and potential ash generation, among others, are estimated using the characteristics of the individual component fractions. The moisture content varied significantly from the previously reported data, with the moisture content of plastic components varying by nearly 95%. The heat content reflected relatively lower deviation, with the paper fraction exhibiting 33%-36% variation. Inert content of the food wastes differed by 336% from the previous database. Differences in the source materials used, segregation practices, effect of climatic factors, instrumentation techniques, and analytical standards may have caused these variations.