Municipal Solid Waste Characterization According to Different Income Levels: A Case Study

Huseyin Kurtulus Ozcan, Senem Yazici Guvenc, Lokman Guvenc and Goksel Demir
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Huseyin Kurtulus Ozcan: Department of Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University, Avcilar Campus, 34320 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
Senem Yazici Guvenc: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Davutpasa Campus, Yıldız Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, Turkey
Lokman Guvenc: Kartal Municipality Directorate of Environmental Protection, Kartal, 34860 Istanbul, Turkey
Goksel Demir: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture Faculty, Kayali Campus, Kirklareli University, 39100 Kirklareli, Turkey

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: Solid waste generation and characterization are some of the most important parameters which affect environmental sustainability. Municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization depends on social structure and income levels. This study aims to determine the variations in waste components within MSW mass by income levels and seasonal conditions following the analysis conducted on the characterization of solid wastes produced in the Kartal district of the province of Istanbul, which is the research area of this study. To this end, 1.9 tons of solid waste samples were collected to represent four different lifestyles (high, medium, and low income levels, and downtown) in the winter and summer periods, and characterization was made on these samples. In order to support waste characterization, humidity content and calorific value analyses were also conducted and various suggestions were brought towards waste management in line with the obtained findings. According to the results obtained in the study, organic waste had the highest rate of waste mass by 57.69%. Additionally, significant differences were found in municipal solid waste components (MSWC) based on income level. Average moisture content (MC) of solid waste samples was 71.1% in moisture analyses. The average of calorific (heating) value (HHV) was calculated as 2518.5 kcal·kg −1 .

Keywords: municipal solid waste (MSW); characterization; sustainability; waste management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:10:p:1044-:d:80770

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