Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Waste composition information has widespread applications and can be used for activities such as solid waste planning, designing waste management facilities, and establishing a reference waste composition for use as a baseline standard in both facility contracts and acceptance test plans.
The method can be used to define and report the composition of MSW through the selection and manual sorting of waste samples. Where applicable, care should be taken to consider the source and seasonal variation of waste.
After performing a waste composition analysis, laboratory analyses may be performed on representative samples of waste components, or mixtures of waste components, for purposes related to the planning, management, design, testing, and operation of resource recovery facilities.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring the composition of unprocessed municipal solid waste (MSW) by employing manual sorting. This test method applies to determination of the mean composition of MSW based on the collection and manual sorting of a number of samples of waste over a selected time period covering a minimum of one week.
1.2 This test method includes procedures for the collection of a representative sorting sample of unprocessed waste, manual sorting of the waste into individual waste components, data reduction, and reporting of the results.
1.3 This test method may be applied at landfill sites, waste processing and conversion facilities, and transfer stations.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
30-Jul-1992
Technical Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM D5231-92(2003) - Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D 5231 – 92 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed
1
Municipal Solid Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5231; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.1.4 unprocessed municipal solid waste—solid waste in its
discarded form, that is, waste that has not been size reduced or
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring the
otherwise processed.
composition of unprocessed municipal solid waste (MSW) by
2.1.5 waste component—a category of solid waste, com-
employing manual sorting. This test method applies to deter-
posed of materials of similar physical properties and chemical
mination of the mean composition of MSW based on the
composition, which is used to define the composition of solid
collection and manual sorting of a number of samples of waste
waste, for example, ferrous, glass, newsprint, yard waste,
over a selected time period covering a minimum of one week.
aluminum, etc.
1.2 This test method includes procedures for the collection
of a representative sorting sample of unprocessed waste,
3. Summary of Test Method
manual sorting of the waste into individual waste components,
3.1 The number of samples to be sorted is calculated based
data reduction, and reporting of the results.
on statistical criteria selected by the investigators.
1.3 This test method may be applied at landfill sites, waste
3.2 Vehicle loads of waste are designated for sampling, and
processing and conversion facilities, and transfer stations.
a sorting sample is collected from the discharged vehicle load.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.3 The sample is sorted manually into waste components.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
The weight fraction of each component in the sorting sample is
information only.
calculated from the weights of the components.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.4 The mean waste composition is calculated using the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
results of the composition of each of the sorting samples.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
4.1 Waste composition information has widespread applica-
statements, see Section 6.
tions and can be used for activities such as solid waste
2. Terminology planning, designing waste management facilities, and estab-
lishing a reference waste composition for use as a baseline
2.1 Definitions:
standard in both facility contracts and acceptance test plans.
2.1.1 composite item—an object in the waste composed of
4.2 The method can be used to define and report the
multiple waste components or dissimilar materials, such as
composition of MSW through the selection and manual sorting
disposable diapers, bi-metal beverage containers, electrical
of waste samples. Where applicable, care should be taken to
conductors composed of metallic wire encased in plastic
consider the source and seasonal variation of waste.
insulation, etc.
4.3 After performing a waste composition analysis, labora-
2.1.2 solid waste composition or waste composition—the
tory analyses may be performed on representative samples of
characterization of solid waste as represented by a breakdown
waste components, or mixtures of waste components, for
of the mixture into specified waste components on the basis of
purposes related to the planning, management, design, testing,
mass fraction or of weight percent.
and operation of resource recovery facilities.
2.1.3 sorting sample—a 200 to 300-lb (91 to 136-kg)
portion deemed to represent the characteristics of a vehicle
5. Apparatus
load of MSW.
5.1 Metal, Plastic, or Fiber Containers, sufficient for stor-
ing and weighing each waste component, labeled accordingly.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
For components that will have a substantial moisture content
Disposal and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 on Analytical
(for example, food waste), metal or plastic containers are
Methods.
recommended in order to avoid absorption of moisture by the
Current edition approved July 31, 1992. Published September 1992.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 5231 – 92 (2003)
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