Abstract
Waste represents a largely untapped source of raw material in many countries, as resource recovery rates remain generally low despite most of the disposed stream being composed of recoverable material. Reliable waste characterization data are the primary measure in shaping effective waste recovery strategies. Normally, such data are scarce in low and middle-income countries and if it exists, it is generally incompatible and commonly based on assumptions rather than scientific studies. This study aims to assess the determinants of waste characterization in Lebanon and the implications for planning sustainable waste management systems. Accordingly, three thorough and comprehensive waste characterization studies were conducted targeting three Federations of municipalities. Results revealed that the organic fraction is the most prominent in household waste followed by plastics and paper. Unlike the quantity of recyclables that was proportional to income level, organic waste and income level were inversely proportional. The high amount of organic waste along with recyclables make composting and recycling feasible solid waste management processes that can substantially reduce the amount of waste to be landfilled. Thus, negating the need for land particularly in areas where land availability is a challenge.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Jarallah R, Aleisa E (2014) A baseline study characterizing the municipal solid waste in the State of Kuwait. Waste Manag 34(5):952–960
Ayilara MS, Olanrewaju OS, Babalola OO, Odeyemi O (2020) Waste management through composting: challenges and potentials. Sustainability 12(11):4456
CCME (1999) Recommended waste characterization methodology for direct waste analysis studies in Canada Report Prepared by SENES Consultants Limited
Chandrappa R, Das D (2012) Chapter 2. Waste quantities and characteristics. In: Solid waste management. Environmental science and engineering. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28681-0_1
Chung SS, Poon CS (2001) Characterization of municipal solid waste and its recyclable contents of Guangzhou. Waste Manag Res 19(6):473–485
Eggerth LL, Diaz LF, Chang MTF, Iseppi L (2007) Marketing of compost. Waste Manag Ser 8:325–355
Elemile O, Sridhar M, Oluwatuyi O (2019) Solid waste characterization and its recycling potential: Akure municipal dumpsite, Southwestern, Nigeria. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 21:585–593
El-Fadel M, Bou-Zeid E, Chahine W, Alayli B (2002) Temporal variation of leachate quality from pre-sorted and baled municipal solid waste with high organic and moisture content. Waste Manag 22(3):269–282
Gidarakos E, Havas G, Ntzamilis P (2006) Municipal solid waste composition determination supporting the integrated solid waste management system in the island of Crete. Waste Manag 26(6):668–679
Guermoud N, Ouadjnia F, Abdelmalek F, Taleb F, Addou A (2009) Municipal solid waste in Mostaganem city (Western Algeria). Waste Manag 29(2):896–902
Hotta Y, Visvanathan C, Kojima M et al (2016) Developing 3R policy indicators for Asia and the Pacific region: experience from regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 18:2–37
Kathiravale S, Yunus MNM, Sopian K, Samsuddin AH, Rahman RA (2003) Modeling the heating value of Municipal Solid Waste. Fuel 82(9):1119–1125
Katiyar RB, Suresh S, Sharma AK (2013) Characterization of municipal solid waste generated by the city of Bhopal India. Int J Chemtech Res 5(2):623–628
Kawai K, Huong LTM, Yamada M et al (2016) Proximate composition of household waste and applicability of waste management technologies by source separation in Hanoi Vietnam. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 18:517–526
Kawai K, Liu C, Gamaralalage PJ (2020) CCET guideline series on intermediate municipal solid waste treatment technologies: composting. United Nations Environment Program
Liu JI, Paode RD, Holsen TM (1996) Modeling the energy content of municipal solid waste using multiple regression analysis. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 46(7):650–656
Loukil F, Rouached L (2012) Modeling packaging waste policy instruments and recycling in the MENA region. Resour Conserv Recycl 53:141–152
Medina M (1997) The effect of income on municipal solid waste generation rates for countries of varying levels of economic development: a model. J Solid Waste Technol Manag 24(3):149–155
Menikpura SNM, Basnayake BFA (2009) New applications of ‘Hess Law’ and comparisons with models for determining calorific values of municipal solid wastes in the Sri Lankan context. Renew Energy 34(6):1587–1594
Miezah K, Obiri-Danso K, Kadar Z, Fei-Baffoe B, Mensah M (2015) Municipal solid waste characterization and quantification as a measure towards effective waste management in Ghana. Waste Manag 46:15–27
Newenhouse SC, Schmit JT (2000) Qualitative methods add value to waste characterization studies. Waste Manag Res 18(2):105–114
Orhorhoro EK, Ebunilo PO, Sadjere EG (2017) Experimental determination of effect of total solid (TS) and volatile solid (VS) on biogas yield. Am J Mod Energy 3(6):131–135
Owamah IH, Izinyon OC, Igbinewekan P (2017) Characterization and quantification of solid waste generation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: a case study of Ogbe-Ijoh community in Delta State. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 19:366–373
Ozcan HK, Guvenc SY, Guvenc L, Demir G (2016) Municipal solid waste characterization according to different income levels: a case study. Sustainability 8(10):1044
Peces M, Astals S, Mata-Alvarez J (2014) Assessing total and volatile solids in municipal solid waste samples. Environ Technol 35(24):3041–3046
Qu XY, Li ZS, Xie XY, Sui YM, Yang L, Chen Y (2009) Survey of composition and generation rate of household wastes in Beijing China. Waste Manag 29(10):2618–2624
Ramachandra TV, Bharath HA, Kulkarni G, Han SS (2018) Municipal solid waste: generation, composition and GHG emissions in Bangalore, India. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 82:1122–1136
Sharma M, McBean E (2007) A methodology for solid waste characterization based on diminishing marginal returns. Waste Manag 27:337–344
Smith SR (2009) A critical review of the bioavailability and impacts of heavy metals in municipal solid waste composts compared to sewage sludge. Environ Int 35(1):142–156
Sweepnet (2014) Challenges and opportunities for solid waste management in the Mashreq and Maghreb region
Taghipour H, Amjad Z, Aslani H, Armanfar F, Dehghanzadeh R (2016) Characterizing and quantifying solid waste of rural communities. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 18:790–797
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2009) Developing integrated solid waste management plan training manual volume 1: waste characterization and quantification with projections for future
Weichgrebe D, Speier C, Mondal M (2017) Scientific approach for municipal solid waste characterization. In: Goel S (ed) Advances in solid and hazardous waste management. Springer, Cham, pp 63–99
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the European Commission for funding this research project. The authors would also like to thank the Federation of Municipalities of Eklim El Teffah for the fieldwork support throughout the project.
Funding
This work was supported by the European Commission [Grant #: ENI/2018/398-061, 2018].
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Massoud, M.A., Mokbel, M. Determinants of waste characterization in Lebanon and material recovery potential. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 24, 1913–1922 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-022-01445-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-022-01445-2