Pre-sorting and waste collection

This chapter emphasises the importance of the collection operation in integrated waste management. It looks at the processes of home sorting and waste collection, from the creation of waste up to its delivery at a central sorting or treatment site. The characteristics and effectiveness of different collection methods are discussed, including both collection of separated fractions and the collection of commingled materials. The limitations of the common division into ‘bring’ and ‘kerbside’ schemes when comparing systems are emphasised, as is the need for effective communication between waste collectors and waste generators. The main environmental impacts of pre-sorting and collection processes (due to the vehicle transport involved) are discussed, and available data presented to allow these to be calculated. Limited information is also given on likely economic costs of collection systems. Finally, the module of the computer spreadsheet which models waste collection systems is presented and explained.