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Compositional Analysis of Biowaste from Study Sites in Greek Municipalities

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Abstract

In recent years biowaste has been classified as a top priority waste stream due to the large quantities generated and the potential for more sustainable management options. Despite the increasing importance on the topic, qualitative and quantitative data concerning municipal biowaste composition is limited only to countries with extended waste management experience, whereas a standardized method on biowaste composition analysis is still missing. This work focuses on the presentation of the results of a state of the art methodology developed for conducting compositional and extended physicochemical analysis on biowaste obtained from source separation schemes in two major Greek municipalities (Athens and Kifissia). The composition analysis revealed significant differentiation of the characteristics between the examined areas and other case studies in EU countries. ‘Fruit and vegetable’ waste constituted the main waste component for both Municipalities while significant seasonal differentiation was recorded, whereas increased level of ‘Other biowaste’ for both case studies was observed. The extended physicochemical analyses of the biowaste characteristics showed a strong degree of similarity in biowaste samples irrespective of the investigated area and the seasonal variation in biowaste composition. Additionally, heavy metals concentration in biowaste supports the concept that source separation reduces their migration level from non-compostable materials to the fermentable matrix compared to commingled collection and mechanical separation.

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Acknowledgments

This work is based on the research that was carried out in the framework of the LIFE+ project ATHENS-BIOWASTE: Integrated management of biowaste in Greece: The case study of Athens, (LIFE10 ENV/GR/000605) (www.biowaste.gr), which was co-financed by the LIFE+ Programme of the European Commission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Environmental Science and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Str., Zographou Campus, 15773, Athens, Greece

    D. Malamis, K. Moustakas, K. Valta, C. Papadaskalopoulou, V. Panaretou & A. Sotiropoulos

  2. EPTA Environmental Consultants – Engineers, 16 Iniochou Street, 15238, Athens, Greece

    A. Bourka

  3. Association of Municipalities in the Attica Region – Solid Waste Management, Athens, Greece

    O. Skiadi

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  1. D. Malamis
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  2. K. Moustakas
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  3. A. Bourka
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  4. K. Valta
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  5. C. Papadaskalopoulou
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  6. V. Panaretou
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  7. O. Skiadi
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  8. A. Sotiropoulos
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Correspondence to D. Malamis.

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Malamis, D., Moustakas, K., Bourka, A. et al. Compositional Analysis of Biowaste from Study Sites in Greek Municipalities. Waste Biomass Valor 6, 637–646 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-015-9406-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-015-9406-z

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