Seasonal Changes of Municipal Waste Generation and Content

Case Study For Kaunas City, Lithuania

Abstract

The scientific objective of this study is to develope a methodology for the investigation of municipal solid waste (MSW) composition in Lithuania. Investigations have been performed in Kaunas, which is the second large city of Lithuania. The obtained results are a contribution to assess, evaluate, and predict possible development scenarios of the municipal waste management sector in east European countries. Possible scenarios consider improved separate collection systems in combination with landfilling, mechanical-biological treatment and/or incineration. Further the results provide scientific knowledge which is necessary to understand waste generation and composition. This information is crutial to avoid future emissions to the environment resulting from current waste treatment practice. A further aim is to better understand the interplay of natural, social and economic factors influencing the quality and quantity of MSW in Eastern Europe. In this paper we present the preliminary results of consecutive MSW analysis at the waste collection and transfer station in Kaunas City over a period of two years.