Introduction
The challenge of municipal solid waste (MSW) management
has become a priority for governments all over the
world. Some developed countries, such as Germany, the
United States and Japan, have achieved success in waste
management. There is a move from a landfill-based waste
management system to a more integrated one. Integrated
waste management is considered to be the key towards successful
MSW treatment (Hu et al., 1998). Waste separation
is a critical component of a successful integrated waste
management system (McDougall et al., 2001). Waste separation
increases the quality of produced compost and
recyclables, and optimizes incineration. It also enables better
financing of waste management activities and minimizes
the energy and labor inputs to any downstream processes
(Murray, 1999).