Addis Ababa Science & Technology University

College Of Engineering
Department of Environmental Engineering
Solid Waste Engineering (EnEg 4102)
Chapter 2: Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities
Lecture 2
By
Mr. Solomon Tibebu

(2017E.C / 2025G.C)
Previous class summery
What is Integrated Solid Waste Management?
• A comprehensive approach to waste management combining collection, recycling,
treatment, and disposal in an efficient, sustainable manner.
• Economics & Solid Waste: Focus on balancing costs with environmental benefits to
promote sustainability.
• Solid Waste Characteristics
[Link] Characteristics of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste):
• Size, shape, and density of waste.
➢ Impacts on collection, transportation, and disposal methods.
[Link] Characteristics of MSW:
▪ Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, fusing point of ash
➢ Understanding chemical reactions during waste treatment.
[Link] Characteristics of MSW:
• Decomposition processes, organic content.
➢ Impacts on landfill management and recycling processes.

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 2

Content

• Composition of solid waste & their determination

• Waste handling, storage & processing at the source

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Composition of Solid waste & their determination

• Composition refers to the individual components that make up the
solid waste stream and their relative distribution, usually expressed
as a percentage by weight.
• Importance of Composition Data
✓Essential for evaluating equipment needs.
✓Helps design effective waste management systems and programs.
✓Aids in planning for recycling and resource recovery.
Solid Waste Composition
In Solid Waste Engineering,
2 data are very important.
Solid Waste Generation Rate

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 4

 Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
Components Low-income Middle-income Upper income

Organic
• Food waste 40-85 20-65 6-30

• Paper 1-10 8-30 20-45

• Cardboard - - 5-15

• Plastics 1-5 2-6 2-8

• Textiles 1-5 2-10 2-6

• Rubber - - 0-2

• Leather - - 0-2

• Yard Wastes 1-5 1-10 10-20

• Wood - - 1-4

Inorganic
• Glass 5 5 8

• Aluminum 2 2 0

• Dirt, ash etc. 20 15 5

5
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

• Knowing the composition of solid waste is important for the following
purposes:
A. For the selection and operation of equipment and facilities
B. To assess the possibility for resource and energy recovery
C. To design and analyze disposal facilities
• The types (components) of municipal solid waste may be different from
country to country by season, economic condition, development level etc.
• The following table shows the typical variation observed in the collected
composition of residential municipal solid waste

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
Waste Percent by weight Percent variation

Winter season Summer season Decrease Increase

Food waste 11.1 13.5 2.4

Paper 45.2 40.0 5.2

Plastics 9.1 8.2 0.9

Other organics 4.0 4.6 0.6

Yard wastes 18.7 24.0 5.3

Glass 3.5 2.5 1

Metals 4.1 3.1 1

Inert and other wastes 4.3 4.1 0.2

100.0 100.0

7
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
• The following technique is recommended to assess the individual components within a waste category

Food Waste

Paper

100 –200 kg

Cardboard

Plastic

Glass
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 8
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
• The following technique is recommended to assess the individual components within a waste category
1. Unload a truckload of wastes in a controlled area away from other operations
2. Divide the waste load into four
3. Select one of the quarters and quarter that quarter
4. Select one of the quartered quarters and separate all of the individual components of the waste into pre-
selected components
5. Place the separated components in a container of known volume and measure the volume and mass of each
component. The separated components should be compacted tightly to simulate the conditions in the storage
containers from which they were collected.
6. Determine the percentage distribution of each component by mass and as- discarded density.
• Typically from 100 –200 kg (200-400 lb) of waste should be sorted to obtain a representative sample.
• To obtain a more representative distribution of components, samples should be collected during each season
of the year.

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

Moisture
• The wet-weight moisture content is expressed as follows
𝑊−𝑑
𝑀= ∗ 100
𝑊
M=moisture content (%)
W=initial mass of sample as delivered (kg)
d= mass of sample after drying (kg)

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 Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
• A typical value of percent by weight and moisture content data for residential, commercial,
industrial, and agricultural wastes
Waste Weight (%) Moisture content (%)
Range Range
Typical Typical

Organic
Food wastes 6-18 9 50-80 70
Paper 25-40 34 4-10 6
Card board 3-10 6 4-8 5
Plastics 4-10 7 1-4 2
Textiles 0-4 2 6-15 10
Rubber 0-2 0.5 1-4 2
Leather 0-2 0.5 8-12 10
Yard wastes 5-10 18.5 30-80 60
Wood 1-4 2 15-40 20
Misc. organics - - 10-60 25
11
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

Waste Weight (%) Moisture content (%)

Range Typical Range Typical

Inorganic
Glass 4-12 8 1-4 2

Tin cans 2-8 6 2-4 3

Aluminum 0-1 0.5 2-4 2

Other metal 1-4 3 2-4 3

Dirt, ash, etc. 0-6 3 6-12 8

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

Exercise (Class work 5): Estimation of moisture content of typical residential
MSW.
Estimate the overall moisture content of collected residential MSW with the
typical composition given in previous slides.

Hint: Assume the total initial weight of the sample is 100 kg

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
Exercise (Class work 6): Estimation of moisture content of typical residential MSW.
Estimate the overall moisture content of collected residential MSW with the typical composition given below.
Hint: Assume the total initial weight of the sample is 100 kg

Component % by weight Moisture content (%) Dry weight (kg)

Food wastes 15 70

Paper 45 6

Card board 10 5

Plastics 10 2

Yard waste 10 60

Wood 5 20

Tin cans 5 3

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
Density
𝒎 𝒌𝒈
ρ=
𝑽(𝒎𝟑 )
ρ=Density (kg/𝒎𝟑 ), m=initial weight of the solid waste, volume of the solid waste
• A typical value of percent by weight, and density (kg/𝒎𝟑 ) is presented in the following table

Component % by weight Typical density (kg/𝒎𝟑 )

290
Food wastes 15
85
Paper 45
50
Card board 10
65
Plastics 10
105
Yard waste 10
240
Wood 5
90
Tin cans 5

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
Exercise (Class work 7): Estimation of density of typical residential MSW.
Estimate the total density of the collected residential MSW with a typical composition given
in the previous slide.
Hint: The initial total weight of the sample is 100 kg

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 16

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont. • Writing the chemical formula of the solid
waste using ultimate analysis
Ultimate analysis
• The following table shows the typical data on ultimate analysis of the combustible components in municipal solid waste Percent by
weight (dry basis)
Component C H O N S Ash

Food waste 48 6.4 37.6 2.6 0.4 5

Paper 43.5 6 44 0.3 0.2 6

Card board 44 5.9 44.6 0.3 0.2 5

Plastic 60 7.2 22.8 - - 10

Textiles 55 6.6 31.2 4.6 0.15 2.5

Rubber 78 10 - 2 - 10

Leather 60 8 11.6 10 0.4 10

Garden trimmings 47.8 6 38 3.4 0.3 4.5

Wood 49.5 6 42.7 0.2 0.1 1.5

Misc. organics 48.5 6.5 37.5 2.2 0.3 5

Dirt, ashes, brick, etc. 26.3 3 2 0.5 0.2 68

17
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
• The following table shows the typical data on ultimate analysis of the combustible components in municipal solid waste dry mass of the
ultimate analysis (kg)
• Food waste Component Weight (kg) Dry weight (kg) C H O N S Ash

Food waste 15 4.5 2.16 0.29 1.69 0.12 0.02 0.23

✓ *C=0.48*4.5=2.16
Paper 45 42.3 18.40 2.54 18.61 0.13 0.08 2.54
✓ *H=0.064*4.5=0.29
Card board 10 9.5 4.18 0.56 4.24 0.03 0.02 0.48
✓ *O=0.376*4.5=1.692
Plastic 10 9.8 5.88 0.71 2.23 - - 0.98
✓ *N=0.026*4.5=0.117=0.12 Textiles 10 4 1.91 0.24 1.52 0.14 0.01 0.18
✓ *S=0.004*4.5=0.018=0.02 Wood 5 4 1.98 0.24 1.71 0.01 - 0.06
✓ *Ash=0.05*4.5=0.225=0.23 Total 95 74.1 34.51 4.58 30 0.43 0.13 4.47

• Do the same for all component of the wastes

To derive the chemical formula of a given solid waste
1. Calculate the moisture content (%) and mass of moisture (Kg)
2. Calculate the total weight of C, H, O, N, S, and ash Mass of moisture=Weight-dry weight
3. Prepare summery table containing moisture, C, H, O, N, S, and ash
3. Convert the mass of moisture and report in the summery table to H and O………………………….[Link] H2O is 18 (2+16)
2
𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑛 = ∗ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
18
16
𝑂𝑥𝑦𝑔𝑒𝑛 = ∗ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
18
4. Add the H and O values to the previous H and O value
18
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

5. Compute molar composition of the element

6. Determine an appropriate chemical formula with and without sulfur

❖Compute normalized mole ratio

With sulfur=(divide C, H, O, N mol with S mol)

Without sulfur=(divide C, H, O with N mol)

❖ Wright Chemical formula with sulfur

❖ Wright Chemical formula without sulfur

19
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
Exercise (Class work 8): Estimation of the overall chemical composition of a solid waste sample.
Derive an appropriate chemical formula for the organic portion of a solid waste sample with the composition given in
previous slides

Component weight (kg) Dry weight (kg) C H O N S Ash

Food waste 15 4.5 2.16 0.29 1.69 0.12 0.02 0.23

Paper 45 42.3 18.40 2.54 18.61 0.13 0.08 2.54

Card board 10 9.5 4.18 0.56 4.24 0.03 0.02 0.48

Plastic 10 9.8 5.88 0.71 2.23 - - 0.98

Textiles 10 4 1.91 0.24 1.52 0.14 0.01 0.18

• Food waste
Wood 5 4 1.98 0.24 1.71 0.01 - 0.06
✓ *C=0.48*4.5=2.17
Total 95 74.1 34.51 4.58 30 0.43 0.13 4.47
✓ *H=0.064*4.5=0.29
✓ *O=0.376*4.5=1.692
✓ *N=0.026*4.5=0.117=0.12
✓ *S=0.004*4.5=0.018=0.02
✓ *Ash=0.05*4.5=0.225=0.23
20
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
Energy content
• Approximate energy content values may be determined by modifying Dulong formula

𝐾𝐽 𝑂
= 337𝐶 + 1428 𝐻 − + 9𝑆
𝐾𝑔 8
Where C, H, O, and S represent carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and sulfur percentages by mass

Exercise (Class work 9): Estimation of the energy content of solid waste using Dulong formula.
Estimate the energy content of the solid waste that have the following ultimate analysis mass fraction
Component Percent by mass (mass fraction percentage)
C 36.3
H 7.3
O 51.1
S 0.1

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

• There are also another energy content determination formulas i.e. dry basis,
and dry ash free basis

𝐾𝐽 𝑘𝐽 100
= ( )(𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑑)( )
𝐾𝑔 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝐾𝑔 100 − %𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒

𝐾𝐽 𝑘𝐽 100
= ( )(𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑑)( )
𝐾𝑔 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝐾𝑔 100 − %𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 − %𝑎𝑠ℎ

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.
• The energy content of the solid waste component is described in the below table
• The initial total weight of the sample is 100 kg

Component Percent by weight Energy KJ/Kg

Food waste 15 4650

Paper 45 16,750

Card board 10 16,300

Plastic 10 32,600

Garden trimmings 10 6500

Wood 5 18,600

Tin cans 5 700

Total 100

• The total energy of each component as discarded is calculated by multiplying the weight with the energy
content of each component
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 23
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

Component Percent by weight Energy Kj/Kg Total energy,KJ/100Kg

Food waste 15 4650

Paper 45 16,750

Card board 10 16,300

Plastic 10 32,600

Garden trimmings 10 6500

Wood 5 18,600

Tin cans 5 700

Total 100 𝑘𝐽
∑( )(𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑑)
𝐾𝑔

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 24

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Composition of Solid waste & their determination cont.

Exercise (Class work 10): Estimation of the energy content of solid waste.
Determine the energy content of a solid waste on a dry basis and
𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑠 if the moisture and ash content of the waste is 21% and
5% respectively.
Hint: Use the previous slide data (table) to determine the total energy as
discarded

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 25

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source
Functional Element
• This is the second functional element in solid waste Waste Generation
management, involving the management of waste at the
source before collection. On-site handling, storage, and
processing
➢Proper handling and processing at the source
significantly impact: Collection
❖Waste characteristics
Transfer & Transport
❖Subsequent waste management functions
❖Public health
❖Public attitudes toward waste management systems Processing and Recovery

• Effective source separation and storage reduce

contamination, improve recycling, and enhance overall Disposal

system efficiency.

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 26

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight handling
• On-site handling methods and principles involves public attitude, individual
belief and ultimately affects the public health.

• It is an activity associated with the handling of solid waste until they are
placed in the containers used for their storage before collection.

• This may take place at any time before, during or after storage.

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight handling cont.
Importance of on-site handling of solid waste
• Reduce volume of waste generated
• Alter physical form
• Recover usable materials
• Environmental Benefits
• Cost saving
• Improve sustainability

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Storage
• It Occurs at the home level or business premises.
• It Involves the temporary storage of refuse on-site before collection.
• Homeowners and business owners are responsible for the proper storage of
solid waste.
• Importance of Proper Onsite Storage:
✓Prevents flies, bad odors, and other health hazards.
✓Ensures smooth transition to the next stages of waste management, reducing
contamination and improving disposal efficiency.

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 29

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Storage cont.
• There are four factors that should be considered in the on-site storage of solid
waste.

1. The type of container to be used,

2. The location where the containers to be kept,
3. Public health,
4. The collection method and time.

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 30

 Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Storage cont.
1. Storage container
• Materials: Should be made of galvanized iron or plastic.
• Features:
➢ Waterproof and rust-resistant.
➢ Tightly fitting covers.
➢ Fire-resistant.
➢ Washable for hygiene.
• Size & Accessibility: Should be lightweight and easily
lifted by one person when full.
• Dimensions: Example: Diameter 45 cm and Height 75 cm.
• Location: Placed in a cool area, 30 cm above ground level
on platforms.
• Maintenance:
➢ Daily emptying to maintain cleanliness.
➢ Always keep covered after use to avoid nuisances.
➢ Must be maintained in clean conditions to prevent health
hazards.
31
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Storage cont.
2. Container size (Capacity)
• Consideration should be given for the size of the loaded container that must be
hauled to the collection vehicle or to the disposal site.
• Therefore, the size of the container should be:
✓80 to 128 litter for ash
✓should not exceed 120 to 128 litter for mixed refuse
✓up to 200 liter for rubbish
✓10-20 liter for office waste
✓40 liter for kitchen waste
✓48 to 80 liter for garbage

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 32

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Storage cont.
• Plastic liners reduce the need for cleaning of cans and bulk containers, keep
down odors, rats and fly breeding.

• Galvanized metal is preferable for garbage storage because it is resistant to

corrosion. Plastic cans are light in weight but are easily gnawed by rats.

• Bulk containers are recommended where large volumes of refuse are

generated, such as at hotels, restaurants, apartment houses, shopping
centers.

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Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Processing
• On-site processing is intended to improve disposal options, recover valuable
resources, and prepare materials for recovery as new products or energy.

• An engineer would want to evaluate various processing options for the

system’s impact on the local and global environment, reliability, safety to
workers & the local community, ease of operation, efficiency, economics, and,
aesthetics (noise, odors, litter, increased traffic).

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 34

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Processing cont.
• Some of the objectives of solid waste processing include:
1) Component separation (hand sorting, screening, magnetic separation, air
classification for lighter materials such as paper and plastic).

• Remember though, as stated earlier, it is much more efficient to separate

wastes at the source.

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 35

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.

Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.

Onsight Processing cont.
2) Volume reduction (shredding, incineration).
• Incineration may reduce volume by more than 90%. However, engineers
should realize that incineration is not a popular option by many local
communities.

• However, a community may be more acceptable to unpopular alternatives

such as incineration if they are combined with an aggressive source
reduction/recycling program that eliminates the potential production of
hazardous air emissions.

36
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Processing cont.

3) Size reduction (Shredding, grinding)

4) Resource recovery (composting, energy recovery, material recovery)

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 37

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Processing cont.
• A number of processing technologies have been developed for solid waste
management and one of the jobs of the Environmental engineer is to select
and design the most sustainable and cost effective technology for a given
community.
• The Environmental engineer also needs to include the voice of local residents
in his/her design and choice.
• Because, even though there are a lot of good technologies for solid waste
processing, these technologies might be inadequate when built to full-scale.

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 38

Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Processing cont.
Hand Written 1 page
Exercise (Homework 3)
Assume the wet weight of the sample is 100 kg.
Component % by weight MC% Density (Kg/m3) Energy (kJ/kg)

Food Waste 17 70 230 4321

Paper 41 6 81 14854
Card board 15 5 45 18156
Plastic 17 2 71 23456
Garden trimming 3 60 89 5422
Wood 3 20 117 19535
Tin cans 4 3 79 436

39
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Municipal Solid waste characteristics & quantities cont.
Waste handling, separation, storage & processing at the source cont.
Onsight Processing cont.
Exercise (Homework 3)

Using the above table, calculate

A) The overall moisture content of the collected residential MSW.
B) The overall density of the collected residential MSW.
C) The energy content of solid waste as dry base and dry ash free base (Hint:
Ash content is 4%)

40
Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering)
Thank You

Mr. Solomon Tibebu (Environmental Engineering) 41