Waste Characterization Studies
UK Recycling has conducted two Waste Characterization Studies on UK’s landfill and recycling waste to find out what material is thrown away that could be recycled or reused. These studies have allowed UK Recycling to better understand what the university is throwing away and make data-driven decisions to minimize the University’s landfill waste.
Waste characterization is a process where samples of waste are hand sorted into identified categories, weighed, and recorded. The data from the samples are then applied to the total landfill (refuse) and recycling waste weights to give a comprehensive report of material for the whole university.
Why Does It Matter?
A Waste Characterization Study provides a baseline for the University to build and increase waste diversion programs. They help answer questions like:
- How much of the material sent to the landfill could currently be diverted?
- Are there materials in the landfill that could be diverted if a new program is created?
- Which recyclable materials are getting mistakenly landfilled the most
Previous Waste Characterization Studies
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