Page 89 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

RELATED RESEARCH 67

TABLE 2.2 EPA DENSITY CONVERSION FACTORS

CONDITION DENSITY CONVERSIONS
MATERIAL (LEVEL OF COMPACTION) FACTOR

Food scraps Uncompacted 7.49 lb/gallon
Glass bottles Whole 500–700 lb/yd 3

Glass bottles Crushed 1,800–2,700 lb/yd 3
Aluminum cans Whole 50–75 lb/yd 3

Aluminum cans Compacted 250–430 lb/yd 3
Ferrous metals Whole 150 lb/yd 3

Ferrous metals Flattened 850 lb/yd 3
Newspaper Uncompacted 360–505 lb/yd 3

Newspaper Compacted/baled 720–1,000 lb/yd 3
Old corrugated Uncompacted 50–150 lb/yd 3
containers (cardboard)

Old corrugated Baled or compacted 700–1,100 lb/yd 3
containers (cardboard)

White ledger Loose 110–205 lb/yd 3

White ledger Compacted 325 lb/yd 3
PET plastic Uncompacted 30–40 lb/yd 3
PET plastic Compacted 120 lb/yd 3

HDPE plastic Uncompacted 24 lb/yd 3

HDPE plastic Compacted 85 lb/yd 3
Mixed textiles Loose 175 lb/yd 3

Car tires Whole tire 21 lb each
Wood Chipped 625 lb/yd 3

Wood Whole pallet 40 lb each

times it is easier or less costly to gather data in terms of volume than weight; the
conversions factors allow for efficient low cost conversions. Table 2.2 displays EPA
density conversion factors. The conversions factors were obtained from EPA
(http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/recmeas/, retrieved August 10, 2002).

2.10.7 UNIVERSITY-SPONSORED PROGRAMS

In 1996, an innovative partnership between the Lucas County Solid Waste Management
District and The University of Toledo College of Engineering was formed to help
improve environmental and economic conditions in Lucas County, Ohio. The partner-
ship created the Waste Analysis and Minimization Research Project and later, in 2003,