HOUSEHOLD WASTE SORTING AT THE SOURCE

  HOUSEHOLD WASTE SORTING  
 
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF BORÅS
Borås, Sweden 2018
  HOUSEHOLD WASTE SORTING  
 
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF BORÅS
Borås, Sweden 2018
Copyright © Kamran Rousta 
Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery  University of Borås  SE501 90 Borås, Sweden 
Digital version: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva12821  ISBN 9789188269683 (printed)  ISSN 9789188269690 (pdf)  ISSN 0280381X, Skrifter från Högskolan i Borås, nr. 84 
Cover Photo: City of Borås, by Kamran Rousta   Printed in Sweden by Responstryck AB  Borås 2018  
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Abstract
Sustainable waste management systems are needed to handle the increasing amount of
household waste across the globe. EU Waste Hierarchy as a strategy could manage this issue,
where reducing the waste is preferred to recycling which is, in turn, preferred to generating
energy from the waste. Increased material recycling in a household waste management system
is a challenging task that involves both social and technical aspects. The intersection of these
two aspects is a key part of source separation i.e., separating the waste where it is generated.
Some Swedish stakeholders, including recycling companies and landlords, felt that
material recycling was challenging due to the lack of an analysis tool that can help improve
the source separation system at the local level. The central point of this thesis focuses on
creating an analysis tool that can be used to improve sorting at the source in any waste
collection system. The objectives were to answer the following research questions: 1) How
can the current sorting behaviour be evaluated? 2) How can appropriate interventions for
improving this behaviour be identified? 3) How can the effect of interventions be assessed?
A participatory research based on Action Research framework (Look, Think, Act) was
designed in a pilot area in the city of Borås, Sweden. Data was collected based on a
combination of quantitative and qualitative methods since recycling behaviour is a complex
phenomenon. Pick analysis (waste composition study) was found to be a relevant method to
evaluate the recycling behaviour and assess the effects of interventions in a recycling scheme.
Similarly, using interviews strengthened the understanding of the need of inhabitants to
participate in the source separation system in order to identify effective interventions. A
Recycling Behaviour Transition (RBT) procedure was developed based on the pilot study.
The RBT procedure proved to be an effective tool for improving recycling behaviour. Also,
the procedure was designed for being adaptable for any waste separation system. It was
concluded that the factors influencing recycling behaviour are complex and sensitive to local
circumstances and individual perceptions. Therefore, the RBT procedure helps identify the
appropriate interventions based on the local context.
Data collected in the pilot area revealed that the convenience factors in recycling
behaviour are crucial for improving participation in the recycling scheme. By placing
recycling containers close to the vicinity of waste generation, which is a convenience factor,
iii
Abstract
Sustainable waste management systems are needed to handle the increasing amount of
household waste across the globe. EU Waste Hierarchy as a strategy could manage this issue,
where reducing the waste is preferred to recycling which is, in turn, preferred to generating
energy from the waste. Increased material recycling in a household waste management system
is a challenging task that involves both social and technical aspects. The intersection of these
two aspects is a key part of source separation i.e., separating the waste where it is generated.
Some Swedish stakeholders, including recycling companies and landlords, felt that
material recycling was challenging due to the lack of an analysis tool that can help improve
the source separation system at the local level. The central point of this thesis focuses on
creating an analysis tool that can be used to improve sorting at the source in any waste
collection system. The objectives were to answer the following research questions: 1) How
can the current sorting behaviour be evaluated? 2) How can appropriate interventions for
improving this behaviour be identified? 3) How can the effect of interventions be assessed?
A participatory research based on Action Research framework (Look, Think, Act) was
designed in a pilot area in the city of Borås, Sweden. Data was collected based on a
combination of quantitative and qualitative methods since recycling behaviour is a complex
phenomenon. Pick analysis (waste composition study) was found to be a relevant method to
evaluate the recycling behaviour and assess the effects of interventions in a recycling scheme.
Similarly, using interviews strengthened the understanding of the need of inhabitants to
participate in the source separation system in order to identify effective interventions. A
Recycling Behaviour Transition (RBT) procedure was developed based on the pilot study.
The RBT procedure proved to be an effective tool for improving recycling behaviour. Also,
the procedure was designed for being adaptable for any waste separation system. It was
concluded that the factors influencing recycling behaviour are complex and sensitive to local
circumstances and individual perceptions. Therefore, the RBT procedure helps identify the
appropriate interventions based on the local context.
Data collected in the pilot area revealed that the convenience factors in recycling
behaviour are crucial for improving participation in the recycling scheme. By placing
recycling containers close to the vicinity of waste generation, which is a convenience factor,
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the miss-sorted fraction decreased by up to 28% (wt%). Similarly, easy access to relevant
information is another intervention that significantly improved the recycling behaviour in the
pilot area. Furthermore, it was concluded that Action Research, as a participatory
methodology, is particularly appropriate when seeking the link between social and technical
factors in waste management.
household waste, waste composition study, waste sorting, waste collection,
separate collection, municipal solid waste, circular economy
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Preface
Nearing completion, I thought why did I choose this topic and what was my thought
processing, when I wanted to focus this particular area of research. The answer lies within my
roots when I started my first summer job in my father’s factory. I was a practitioner, learning
different types of machinery and finding solutions to complex problems was sowed in when I
was 12. Later, I became an entrepreneur after graduating from Mechanical Engineering;
designing and construction of boilers, tanks and steel structures. The engineer in me learnt to
solve and analyse problems from real-life experiences. For personal reasons, I had shut the
business and moved to Sweden to start schooling again after 10 years. Moving to Sweden
changed my life radically where I found myself as a changer.
My master thesis reviewed solid waste management system in Borås that opened a new
window of opportunities. I concluded that waste sorting at home requires a system/tool that
involves the end users i.e., inhabitants for an efficient operation. Personally, I like to solve a
problem and see the changes in the society than just identifying it. Kurt Lewin, the German-
American psychologist in Action Research once said: “No research without action, no action
without research” and this motto represented my research. The different hats which I wore in
the early part of my life including the roles of practitioner, engineer and changer helped me
in grounding this research. I used existing methodologies to solve a particular problem, while
I tried understanding different theories from a scientific perspective.
This thesis was performed wearing those different hats that present the rationale for this
study, justification of methods, followed by how to conduct them, and a discussion of
important finding with remarks and conclusion. Some by-products were obtained during the
course of this thesis including the pilot area got new garbage bins, a facility for waste sorting
closer to their apartment building, barbeque place and play area for children. The stakeholders
including property owner, waste management company and inhabitants have started to harvest
the fruits out of this research. Moreover, neighbouring cities also started using the results as a
part of their waste management activity.
This study equally impacted me as a researcher learning qualitative methods, analysing
data from a perspective I never looked into. I’m not a social scientist, however; I tried
understanding their methods and draw an applicable conclusion out of it. The engineer in me
v
Preface
Nearing completion, I thought why did I choose this topic and what was my thought
processing, when I wanted to focus this particular area of research. The answer lies within my
roots when I started my first summer job in my father’s factory. I was a practitioner, learning
different types of machinery and finding solutions to complex problems was sowed in when I
was 12. Later, I became an entrepreneur after graduating from Mechanical Engineering;
designing and construction of boilers, tanks and steel structures. The engineer in me learnt to
solve and analyse problems from real-life experiences. For personal reasons, I had shut the
business and moved to Sweden to start schooling again after 10 years. Moving to Sweden
changed my life radically where I found myself as a changer.
My master thesis reviewed solid waste management system in Borås that opened a new
window of opportunities. I concluded that waste sorting at home requires a system/tool that
involves the end users i.e., inhabitants for an efficient operation. Personally, I like to solve a
problem and see the changes in the society than just identifying it. Kurt Lewin, the German-
American psychologist in Action Research once said: “No research without action, no action
without research” and this motto represented my research. The different hats which I wore in
the early part of my life including the roles of practitioner, engineer and changer helped me
in grounding this research. I used existing methodologies to solve a particular problem, while
I tried understanding different theories from a scientific perspective.
This thesis was performed wearing those different hats that present the rationale for this
study, justification of methods, followed by how to conduct them, and a discussion of
important finding with remarks and conclusion. Some by-products were obtained during the
course of this thesis including the pilot area got new garbage bins, a facility for waste sorting
closer to their apartment building, barbeque place and play area for children. The stakeholders
including property owner, waste management company and inhabitants have started to harvest
the fruits out of this research. Moreover, neighbouring cities also started using the results as a
part of their waste management activity.
This study equally impacted me as a researcher learning qualitative methods, analysing
data from a perspective I never looked into. I’m not a social scientist, however; I tried
understanding their methods and draw an applicable conclusion out of it. The engineer in me
vi
learnt the social science that skilled and excelled my abilities to a new maximum. I’m an early
researcher, however, this study had given me the confidence to do multidisciplinary research
combing different methods and find solutions to more complicated problems. This study is a
win-win for different stakeholders including me as a researcher, waste management company
and property owner who got the tools/system for effective waste management, and inhabitants
who got better facilities. As a researcher, you want to see your solutions work out of the
laboratory and the satisfaction you get when it is welcomed by all is priceless and I’m proud
of it.
Kamran Rousta
List of Publications
I. Rousta K, Ordoñez I, Bolton K, Dahlén L, (2017) Support for Designing Waste Sorting Systems: A Mini Review. Waste management & Research 35(11): 1099-1111.
II. Rousta K, Ekström K.M, (2013) Assessing Incorrect Household Waste Sorting in a Medium-Sized Swedish City. Sustainability 5(10): 4349-4361.
III. Rousta K, Bolton K, Lundin M, Dahlén L, (2015) Quantitative Assessment of Distance to Collection Point and Improved Sorting Information on Source Separation of Household Waste. Waste Management 40: 22-30.
IV. Rousta K, Bolton K, Dahlén L, (2016) A Procedure to Transform Recycling Behavior for Source Separation of Household Waste. Recycling 1(1): 147-165
vii
List of Publications
I. Rousta K, Ordoñez I, Bolton K, Dahlén L, (2017) Support for Designing Waste Sorting Systems: A Mini Review. Waste management & Research 35(11): 1099-1111.
II. Rousta K, Ekström K.M, (2013) Assessing Incorrect Household Waste Sorting in a Medium-Sized Swedish City. Sustainability 5(10): 4349-4361.
III. Rousta K, Bolton K, Lundin M, Dahlén L, (2015) Quantitative Assessment of Distance to Collection Point and Improved Sorting Information on Source Separation of Household Waste. Waste Management 40: 22-30.
IV. Rousta K, Bolton K, Dahlén L, (2016) A Procedure to Transform Recycling Behavior for Source Separation of Household Waste. Recycling 1(1): 147-165
viii
ix
Statement of Contributions
Paper I: I and Isabel Ordoñez had equal responsibility for the idea, literature review, data analyses, manuscript preparation and its revision.
Paper II: I was responsible for the idea, experimental design, data collection, statistical analyses, manuscript preparation and its revision.
Paper III: I was responsible for the idea, experimental design, data collection, interpreting the results, manuscript preparation and its revision.
Paper IV: I was responsible for the idea, data collection, analyses, manuscript preparation and its revision.
ix
Statement of Contributions
Paper I: I and Isabel Ordoñez had equal responsibility for the idea, literature review, data analyses, manuscript preparation and its revision.
Paper II: I was responsible for the idea, experimental design, data collection, statistical analyses, manuscript preparation and its revision.
Paper III: I was responsible for the idea, experimental design, data collection, interpreting the results, manuscript preparation and its revision.
Paper IV: I was responsible for the idea, data collection, analyses, manuscript preparation and its revision.
x
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Conference paper:
Rousta K, Kaeni Moghadam M, Haji Karimkhani P, Richards T, (2011) Evaluation the inhabitants’ participation in separation at source by waste characterization. WASTES: Solutions Treatments Opportunities Conference, Guimarães, Portugal.
Book chapters:
1. Rousta K, Dahlén L, (2015) Source separation of Household Waste: Technology and Social Aspects, in Resource Recovery to approach zero municipal wastes, M. J. Taherzadeh and T. Richards, 07/2015: chapter 4; CRC Press., ISBN: 9781482240351 .
2. Rousta K, Richards T, Taherzadeh M.J, (2015) An Overview of Solid Waste Management towards Zero Landfill: A Swedish Model, in Resource Recovery to approach zero municipal wastes, M. J. Taherzadeh and T. Richards, 07/2015: chapter 1; CRC Press., ISBN: 9781482240351.
Article:
Brancoli P, Rousta K, Bolton K, (2017) Life cycle assessment of supermarket food waste. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 118:39-46.
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Conference paper:
Rousta K, Kaeni Moghadam M, Haji Karimkhani P, Richards T, (2011) Evaluation the inhabitants’ participation in separation at source by waste characterization. WASTES: Solutions Treatments Opportunities Conference, Guimarães, Portugal.
Book chapters:
1. Rousta K, Dahlén L, (2015) Source separation of Household Waste: Technology and Social Aspects, in Resource Recovery to approach zero municipal wastes, M. J. Taherzadeh and T. Richards, 07/2015: chapter 4; CRC Press., ISBN: 9781482240351 .
2. Rousta K, Richards T, Taherzadeh M.J, (2015) An Overview of Solid Waste Management towards Zero Landfill: A Swedish Model, in Resource Recovery to approach zero municipal wastes, M. J. Taherzadeh and T. Richards, 07/2015: chapter 1; CRC Press., ISBN: 9781482240351.
Article:
Brancoli P, Rousta K, Bolton K, (2017) Life cycle assessment of supermarket food waste. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 118:39-46.
xii
xiii
Acknowledgment
I had succeeded many challenging tasks during my lifetime alone, nonetheless, the toughest
was to finish PhD thesis that couldn’t have happened without the supporting pillars at difficult
times. There are many people who supported me directly or indirectly in this journey that I
take the opportunity to thank them for their help.
MY SPECIAL THANKS TO:
My supervisors, Kim Bolton and Lisa Dahlén who accepted to supervise my research.
My enthusiasm towards research accelerated exponentially over the years with you beyond
horizons. I had difficulty finding words to express my gratitude and you’re a think-tank. I still
cherish my memories, when I met Lisa for the first time at Luleå and she accepted to be my
supervisor. I remember her words “Yes, I’ll supervise you” with a smile is evergreen. Thanks
for accepting me Lisa, your constructive feedback and the way you express to me, was so
valuable that converted my confusion to confidence. Kim, your advice is invaluable that kept
my research to the high standards. I’m fortunate to have you both as my PhD Supervisors and
your suggestions were crackerjack. I can’t envisage finishing this thesis without your support,
help, advice and encouragement.
My examiner, Mohammad Taherzadeh who supported my proposal and pushed me to
kick-start PhD program. I appreciate the encouragement and advice you gave during my PhD,
which is precious. I couldn’t forget the day when I presented my idea in five minutes to you,
and after some silent seconds, you said: “go and do it”.
My research and funding partner, Borås Energi och Miljö AB (BEM) who supported
my research in cash and in-kind. Some key people at BEM who supported this project include
Hans Skoglund (retired), and Anna-Karin Schön. Thanks a million for the countless
constructive discussions about the results of the project, and support. Pär Carlsson and co-
workers at BEM trusted me and supported all the stages of my research is greatly
acknowledged. Working with you was a great honour for me.
Another research partner, AB Bostäder i Borås, (property owners of the pilot area),
and their personnel who helped in applying changes and interventions in the pilot area.
Without your support, it was impossible to complete this study.
xiii
Acknowledgment
I had succeeded many challenging tasks during my lifetime alone, nonetheless, the toughest
was to finish PhD thesis that couldn’t have happened without the supporting pillars at difficult
times. There are many people who supported me directly or indirectly in this journey that I
take the opportunity to thank them for their help.
MY SPECIAL THANKS TO:
My supervisors, Kim Bolton and Lisa Dahlén who accepted to supervise my research.
My enthusiasm towards research accelerated exponentially over the years with you beyond
horizons. I had difficulty finding words to express my gratitude and you’re a think-tank. I still
cherish my memories, when I met Lisa for the first time at Luleå and she accepted to be my
supervisor. I remember her words “Yes, I’ll supervise you” with a smile is evergreen. Thanks
for accepting me Lisa, your constructive feedback and the way you express to me, was so
valuable that converted my confusion to confidence. Kim, your advice is invaluable that kept
my research to the high standards. I’m fortunate to have you both as my PhD Supervisors and
your suggestions were crackerjack. I can’t envisage finishing this thesis without your support,
help, advice and encouragement.
My examiner, Mohammad Taherzadeh who supported my proposal and pushed me to
kick-start PhD program. I appreciate the encouragement and advice you gave during my PhD,
which is precious. I couldn’t forget the day when I presented my idea in five minutes to you,
and after some silent seconds, you said: “go and do it”.
My research and funding partner, Borås Energi och Miljö AB (BEM) who supported
my research in cash and in-kind. Some key people at BEM who supported this project include
Hans Skoglund (retired), and Anna-Karin Schön. Thanks a million for the countless
constructive discussions about the results of the project, and support. Pär Carlsson and co-
workers at BEM trusted me and supported all the stages of my research is greatly
acknowledged. Working with you was a great honour for me.
Another research partner, AB Bostäder i Borås, (property owners of the pilot area),
and their personnel who helped in applying changes and interventions in the pilot area.
Without your support, it was impossible to complete this study.
xiv
Other research partners, the tenants in the pilot area who participated in the
interviews and all the stages of my research. Thanks for your kindness through email or in
person. Your engagement and participation in the research were the main reason for me to
work harder. Special thanks to Mona who helped me in finding the interviewees and Osman,
who encouraged the inhabitants to use the Environmental Room in the pilot area to sort the
waste correctly.
Mobile Info Center, Masoud, Esmieel and Ismet, who supported me in practical stages
of my research in the…