Page 257 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

EXISTING DATA COLLECTION 235

questions and data backtracking difficult. A possible source of error is that the data
accuracy depends on whether the proper collection method was used.

14.5.4 U.S. GOVERNMENT RESEARCH

Review of government documents and research studies also proved useful for this
research. The EPA has conducted no direct research in this field, however state and
local agencies of the EPA have conducted studies that are relevant to this research. The
research conducted by these agencies provided relevant insights into solid waste
generation, but limited direct hard data on individual company waste generation
amounts. Each EPA data source is listed in Table 14.3. The table lists the organization

TABLE 14.3 DATA PROVIDED BY EPA AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

AGENCY NAME AGENCY LOCATION INFORMATION PROVIDED RELEVANCY

Integrated Waste Sacramento, Database that estimates Provided compositions
Management California the characteristics of of solid waste streams
Board the commercial sector for Californian
of California disposed waste stream companies
for any city in California,
and determines which
business groupings
contribute the most
material to the
waste stream.

Indiana Institute Indiana State Conducted 80 waste Provided waste
on Recycling University reduction case studies reduction
in the U.S., for each a information and
contact is given; summary, limited waste
actions taken, and generation rates
payback or benefits for 80 cases

Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Conducted 52 waste Provided waste
Department reduction case studies reduction information
of Natural in the Wisconsin, for and limited waste
Resources each; a contact is given, generation rates for
summary, actions taken, 52 cases
and payback or benefits

Cornell Waste Cornell University CWMI researches various Provided composting
Management aspects of solid waste information for all
Institute management including business types
(CWMI) source reduction

Florida Tallahassee, Economic study on Provided limited waste
Department of Florida recycling benefits for generation poundage
Environmental Florida companies for Florida companies
Protection