a case study of municipal solid waste management in the ... - lumes

Page 13Table 1. MunicipalSolid Waste CompositionOrganic waste (i.e. food waste)Inorganic waste:PaperPlasticMetalGlassBrick, tile, coal ash, cinder and dustTextilesOther65.2 32.04.6932.71.678.81.545.11.992.916.02.91.983.76.9311.9Source: *SEPA, 1998, p.187Source: ** J Paul Henderson & Terrill J Chang, May, 1996, p.5Table l shows that the organic waste in south Chinese municipal solid waste is muchhigher than Vancouver's. The pretty higher organic waste results in the lower heatvalue which ranges from 800-1100kCal/kg. In comparison, the mean heat value ofVancouver's municipal solid waste is 6278kCal/kg. The low heat value of themunicipal solid waste would have a major impact on the economic viability ofincineration projects in China. (J. Paul Henderson & Terrill J. Chang, May, 1996).In the table 1, paper waste includes paper cartons, paper carrier-bags, wrapping paper,corrugated cardboard newspapers, magazines, journals and advertising material.Plastic waste refers to plastic packaging bags, disposable styro foam food containers,PET bottles, plastic utensils, plastic toys and so on. Metal means aluminum beveragesuch as containers for beer and soft drinks, metal food cans and some waste metallikeiron. Glass mainly includes the different color (green, white, brown) glass bottles.Textiles includes used clothes and cloth. Other item in table 1 refers to some waste notclaimed above. The other item in category in China contains batteries and mercurytubes which are almost not included in this category in Canada.5.2.3 Recycling ActivitiesIt is worth mentioning that households practice a form of recycling when it comes towaste from paper, aluminum beverage cans, metal and metal food cans and glassbottles. These tyre of wastes are generally collected by individual collectors, that rayshouseholds a little stim of money for separating and keeping these waste at source.