This volume to weight conversion is done assuming that waste in the container is
uncompacted, unbaled and loose. This assumption is justified because people just drop
the waste into the designated containers but rarely or never compact it in the container.
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The only time they do it is when they have no other option. So, the case of compaction of
waste in the container can be ignored. The conversion from volume to weight is done
using the equation below.
where,
Wc = Weight of Waste Component
Vc= Volume of Waste Component
Dc = Density of Waste Component (From Table 3.2)
The weight of each component in each container is calculated and added respectively to
obtain the overall weight of waste in terms of its components.
3.4 Estimation of Overall Waste and what is Being Recycled
When the data from individual containers is collected, overall waste of each of the
components needs to be obtained to clearly understand the waste generated at the facility
and what is being recycled under present conditions. Microsoft Excel is used to come up
with all the required numbers. All the data that is collected using audit forms is entered
into the excel sheet and this will generate the overall waste in terms of its components.
Based on what is being recycled and what is not, the amount of recyclables that are going
to landfill can be obtained. This data will help managers at the facility to make changes in
their present waste management program to capture most of the recyclables and reduce
their waste hauling expenses.
Depending on the number of times the waste is being emptied from the containers
annual estimation will be done. For example, if a container is emptied daily then a
multiplication factor of 260 is used to estimate the overall waste from that container over