ASTM D5231-92(2008)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste
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.
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Designation: D5231 − 92(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed
1
Municipal Solid Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5231; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.1.3 sorting sample—a 200 to 300-lb (91 to 136-kg)
portion deemed to represent the characteristics of a vehicle
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring the
load of MSW.
composition of unprocessed municipal solid waste (MSW) by
employing manual sorting. This test method applies to deter-
2.1.4 unprocessed municipal solid waste—solid waste in its
mination of the mean composition of MSW based on the
discarded form, that is, waste that has not been size reduced or
collection and manual sorting of a number of samples of waste
otherwise processed.
over a selected time period covering a minimum of one week.
2.1.5 waste component—a category of solid waste, com-
1.2 This test method includes procedures for the collection
posed of materials of similar physical properties and chemical
of a representative sorting sample of unprocessed waste,
composition, which is used to define the composition of solid
manual sorting of the waste into individual waste components,
waste, for example, ferrous, glass, newsprint, yard waste,
data reduction, and reporting of the results.
aluminum, etc.
1.3 This test method may be applied at landfill sites, waste
processing and conversion facilities, and transfer stations. 3. Summary of Test Method
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.1 The number of samples to be sorted is calculated based
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
on statistical criteria selected by the investigators.
information only.
3.2 Vehicle loads of waste are designated for sampling, and
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
a sorting sample is collected from the discharged vehicle load.
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3 The sample is sorted manually into waste components.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- The weight fraction of each component in the sorting sample is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
calculated from the weights of the components.
statements, see Section 6.
3.4 The mean waste composition is calculated using the
results of the composition of each of the sorting samples.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions:
4. Significance and Use
2.1.1 composite item—an object in the waste composed of
4.1 Waste composition information has widespread applica-
multiple waste components or dissimilar materials, such as
tions and can be used for activities such as solid waste
disposable diapers, bi-metal beverage containers, electrical
planning, designing waste management facilities, and estab-
conductors composed of metallic wire encased in plastic
lishing a reference waste composition for use as a baseline
insulation, etc.
standard in both facility contracts and acceptance test plans.
2.1.2 solid waste composition or waste composition—the
characterization of solid waste as represented by a breakdown
4.2 The method can be used to define and report the
of the mixture into specified waste components on the basis of
composition of MSW through the selection and manual sorting
mass fraction or of weight percent.
of waste samples. Where applicable, care should be taken to
consider the source and seasonal variation of waste.
1
4.3 After performing a waste composition analysis, labora-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 on
tory analyses may be performed on representative samples of
Analytical Methods.
waste components, or mixtures of waste components, for
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2008. Published December 2008. Originally
purposes related to the planning, management, design, testing,
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5231-92(2003). DOI:
10.1520/D5231-92R08. and operation of resource recovery facilities.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5231 − 92 (2008)
5. Apparatus 8. Procedure
5.1 Metal, Plastic, or Fiber Containers, sufficient for stor- 8.1 Secure a flat and level area for discharge of the vehicle
ing and weighing each waste component, labeled accordingly. load. The surfa
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5231 − 92 (Reapproved 2008) D5231 − 92 (Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed
1
Municipal Solid Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5231; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. 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.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions:
2.1.1 composite item—an object in the waste composed of multiple waste components or dissimilar materials, such as disposable
diapers, bi-metal beverage containers, electrical conductors composed of metallic wire encased in plastic insulation, etc.
2.1.2 solid waste composition or waste composition—the characterization of solid waste as represented by a breakdown of the
mixture into specified waste components on the basis of mass fraction or of weight percent.
2.1.3 sorting sample—a 200 to 300-lb (91 to 136-kg) portion deemed to represent the characteristics of a vehicle load of MSW.
2.1.4 unprocessed municipal solid waste—solid waste in its discarded form, that is, waste that has not been size reduced or
otherwise processed.
2.1.5 waste component—a category of solid waste, composed of materials of similar physical properties and chemical
composition, which is used to define the composition of solid waste, for example, ferrous, glass, newsprint, yard waste, aluminum,
etc.
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The number of samples to be sorted is calculated based on statistical criteria selected by the investigators.
3.2 Vehicle loads of waste are designated for sampling, and a sorting sample is collected from the discharged vehicle load.
3.3 The sample is sorted manually into waste components. The weight fraction of each component in the sorting sample is
calculated from the weights of the components.
3.4 The mean waste composition is calculated using the results of the composition of each of the sorting samples.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 on Analytical
Methods.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2008. Published December 2008. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5231-92(2003). DOI:
10.1520/D5231-92R08.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5231 − 92 (2008)
4. Significance and Use
4.1 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.
4.2 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.
4.3 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, manag
...
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