ASTM D5231-92(2016)
(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
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, 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
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5231 − 92 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed
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 disposable diapers, bi-metal beverage containers, electrical
conductors composed of metallic wire encased in plastic
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring the
insulation, etc.
composition of unprocessed municipal solid waste (MSW) by
2.1.2 solid waste composition or waste composition—the
employing manual sorting. This test method applies to deter-
characterization of solid waste as represented by a breakdown
mination of the mean composition of MSW based on the
of the mixture into specified waste components on the basis of
collection and manual sorting of a number of samples of waste
mass fraction or of weight percent.
over a selected time period covering a minimum of one week.
2.1.3 sorting sample—a 200 to 300-lb (91 to 136-kg)
1.2 This test method includes procedures for the collection
portion deemed to represent the characteristics of a vehicle
of a representative sorting sample of unprocessed waste,
load of MSW.
manual sorting of the waste into individual waste components,
2.1.4 unprocessed municipal solid waste—solid waste in its
data reduction, and reporting of the results.
discarded form, that is, waste that has not been size reduced or
1.3 This test method may be applied at landfill sites, waste
otherwise processed.
processing and conversion facilities, and transfer stations.
2.1.5 waste component—a category of solid waste, com-
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
posed of materials of similar physical properties and chemical
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
composition, which is used to define the composition of solid
information only.
waste, for example, ferrous, glass, newsprint, yard waste,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the aluminum, etc.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1 The number of samples to be sorted is calculated based
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
on statistical criteria selected by the investigators.
For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.
3.2 Vehicle loads of waste are designated for sampling, and
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
a sorting sample is collected from the discharged vehicle load.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.3 The sample is sorted manually into waste components.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
The weight fraction of each component in the sorting sample is
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
calculated from the weights of the components.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.4 The mean waste composition is calculated using the
results of the composition of each of the sorting samples.
2. Terminology
4. Significance and Use
2.1 Definitions:
4.1 Waste composition information has widespread applica-
2.1.1 composite item—an object in the waste composed of
multiple waste components or dissimilar materials, such as tions and can be used for activities such as solid waste
planning, designing waste management facilities, and estab-
lishing a reference waste composition for use as a baseline
standard in both facility contracts and acceptance test plans.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.03 on Treatment,
4.2 The method can be used to define and report the
Recovery and Reuse.
composition of MSW through the selection and manual sorting
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2016. Published September 2016. Originally
of waste samples. Where applicable, care should be taken to
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D5231 – 92 (2008).
DOI: 10.1520/D5231-92R16. consider the source and seasonal variation of waste.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5231 − 92 (2016)
4.3 After performing a waste composition analysis, labora- 7. Calibration
tory analyses may be performed on representative samples of
7.1 All weigh scale equipment shall be calibrated according
waste components, or mixtures of waste components, for
to the manufacturer’s instructions. Take appropriate corrective
purposes related to the planning, management, design, testing,
action if the readings are different from those of the calibration
and operation of resource recovery facilities.
weights.
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 surface should be swept clean or covered with a
For components that will have a substantial moisture content
clean, durable tarp prior to discharge of the load.
(for example, food waste), metal or plastic containers are
8.2 Position the scale on a clean, flat, level surface and
recommended in order to avoid absorption of moisture by the
adjust the level of the scale if necessary. Determine the
container and thus the need for a substantial number of
accuracy and operation of the scale with a known (that is,
weighingstomaintainanaccuratetareweightforthecontainer.
reference) weight.
5.2 Mechanical or Electronic Weigh Scale, with a capacity
8.3 Weigh all empty storage containers and record the tare
of at least 200 lb (91 kg) and precision of at least 0.1 lb (0.045
weights.
kg).
8.4 Determine the number of samples to be sorted. The
5.3 Heavy-Duty Tarps, Shovels, Rakes, Push Brooms, Dust
determination is a function of the waste components to be
Pans, Hand Brooms, Magnets, Sorting Table, First Aid Kit,
sorted and the desired precision as applied to each component.
MiscellaneousSmallTools,TraffıcCones,TraffıcVests,Leather
Weights of 200 to 300 lb (91 to 136 kg) for sorting samples of
Gloves, Hardhats, Safety Glasses, and Leather Boots.
unprocessed solid waste are recommended. The number of
6. Hazards samples is determined using the calculational method de-
scribed in 9.1.
6.1 Review the hazards and procedures with the operating
and sorting personnel prior to conducting the field activities. 8.5 Acomprehensive list of waste components for sorting is
giveninTable1.Adescriptionofsomeofthewastecomponent
6.2 Sharp objects, such as nails, razor blades, hypodermic
categories is given in Table 2. Other waste components can be
needles, and pieces of glass, are present in solid waste.
defined and sorted, depending on the purpose of the waste
Personnel should be instructed of this danger, and they should
composition determination. The list in Table 1 is comprised of
brush waste particles aside while sorting rather than projecting
those components most commonly used to define and report
their hands with force into the mixture. Personnel handling and
the composition of solid waste. It is recommended that, at a
sorting solid waste should wear appropriate protection, such as
minimum, the complement of left-justified categories in Table
heavy leather gloves, dust masks, hardhats, safety glasses, and
1 be sorted. Similar breakdowns of solid waste composition are
safety boots.
therefore available for purposes of comparison, if desired.
6.3 During the processes of unloading waste from collection
Label the storage containers accordingly.
vehicles and handling waste with heavy equipment, projectiles
8.6 Vehicles for sampling shall be selected at random during
may issue from the mass of waste. The projectiles can include
each day of the one-week sampling period, or so as to be
flying glass particles from breaking glass containers and metal
representative of the waste stream as agreed upon by the
lids from plastic and metal containers that burst under pressure
affected parties. With respect to the random selection of
when run over by heavy equipment. The problem is particu-
vehicles, any method is acceptable that does not introduce a
larly severe when the waste handling surface is of high
bias into the selection. An acceptable method is the use of a
compressive strength, for example, concrete. Personnel should
random number generator. For a weekly sampling period of k
be informed of this danger and wear eye and head protection if
days, the number of vehicles sampled each day shall be
in the vicinity of either the collection vehicle unloading point
approximately n/k, where n is the total number of vehicle loads
or heavy equipment, or both.
6.4 Select a location for the discharge of designated loads,
TABLE 1 List of Waste Component Categories
manual sorting activities, and weighing operations that is flat,
Mixed paper Other organics
level, and away from the normal waste handling and process-
High-grade paper Ferrous
ing areas.
Computer printout Cans
Other office paper Other ferrous
6.5 Weigh storage containers each day, or more frequently,
Newsprint Aluminum
if necessary, in order to maintain an accounting of the tare Corrugated Cans
Plastic Foil
weight.
PET bottles Other aluminum
HDPE bottles Glass
6.6 Loss of mass from the sorting sample can occur through
Film Clear
the evaporation of water. Samples should thus be sorted as
Other plastic Brown
soon as possible after collection.
Yard waste Green
Food waste Other inorganics
6.7 Containers of liquids or other potentially dangerous
Wood
wastes shall be put aside and handled by the crew chief.
D5231 − 92 (2016)
TABLE 2 Descriptions of Some Waste Component Categories
capped jars, paper bags, and plastic bags of their contents.
Category Description Segregate each waste item and place it in the appropriate
Mixed paper Office paper, computer paper, magazines, glossy paper,
storage container.
waxed paper, and other paper not fitting the categories
of newsprint and corrugated
8.12 In the case of composite items found in the waste,
Newsprint Newspaper
separate the individual materials where practical, and place the
Corrugated Corrugated medium, corrugated boxes or cartons, and
brown (kraft) paper (that is, corrugated) bags individual materials into the appropriate storage containers.
Plastic All plastics
Where impractical, segregate the composite items for classifi-
Yard waste Branches, twigs, leaves, grass, and other plant material
cation by the crew chief according to the following order:
Food waste All food waste except bones
Wood Lumber, wood products, pallets, and furniture
8.12.1 If there are many identical composite items (for
Other organics/ Textiles, rubber, leather, and other primarily burnable
example, plastic-sheathed aluminum electrical conductor),
combustibles materials not included in the above component
categories
place them into the waste component containers corresponding
Ferrous Iron, steel, tin cans, and bi-metal cans
to the materials present in the item, and in the approximate
Aluminum Aluminum, aluminum cans, and aluminum foil
Glass All glass proportions according to the estimated mass fraction of each
Other inorganics/ Rock, sand, dirt, ceramics, plaster, non-ferrous non-
material in the item.
non-combustibles aluminum metals (copper, brass, etc.), and bones
8.12.2 If there are only a few of the identical composite
item, place them in the storage container corresponding to the
material that comprises, on a weight basis, the majority of the
item (for example, place bi-metal beverage cans in the ferrous
container).
to be selected for the determination of waste composition. A
weekly period is defined as 5 to 7 days.
8.12.3 If composite items represent substantial weight per-
cents of the sorting sample, a separate category should be
8.7 Direct the designated vehicle containing the load of
established, for example, composite roofing shingles.
waste to the area secured for discharge of the load and
8.12.4 If none of the above procedures is appropriate, place
collection of the sorting sample.
the item(s) (or proportion it (them)) in the storage container
8.8 Collect any required information from the vehicle op-
labeled “other non-combustible” or “other combustible,” as
erator before the vehicle leaves the discharge area. Direct the
appropriate.
vehicle operator to discharge the load onto the clean surface in
one contiguous pile, that is, to avoid gaps in the discharged 8.13 Sorting continues until the maximum particle size of
load in order to facilitate collection of the samples.
the remaining waste particles is approximately 0.5 in. (12.7
3 3
mm). At this point, apportion the remaining particles into the
8.9 Using a front-end loader with at least a 1-yd (0.765-m )
storage containers corresponding to the waste components
bucket, remove the material longitudinally along one entire
represented in the remaining mixture. The apportionment shall
side of the discharged load in order to obtain a representative
be accomplished by making a visual estimate of the mass
cross-section of the material. The mass of material shall be
fraction of waste components represented in the remaining
sufficient to form a mass of material which, on a visual basis,
mixture.
is at least four times the desired weight of the sorting sample
(that is, approximately 1000 lb (454 kg)). Mix, cone, and
8.14 Record the gross weights of the storage containers and
quarter the material, and select one quarter to be the sorting
of any waste items sorted but not stored in containers. The data
sample, using a random method of selection or a sequence
sheet shown in Fig. 1 can be used to record both gross and tare
agreed by all affected parties, for the purpose of eliminating or
weights.
minimizing biasing of the sample. If an oversize item (for
8.15 After recording the gross weights, empty the storage
example, water heater) composes a large weight percent of the
sorting sample, add a notation on the data sheet and weigh it, containers and weigh them again, if appropriate. Re-weighing
if possible. Unprocessed solid waste is a heterogeneous mix- is important and necessary
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