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5 Municipal Solid Waste

Collection

To take … out of the compact cities as you pass through,
To carry buildings and streets with you afterward wherever you go …
Walt Whitman
Song of the Open Road

5.1 INTRODUCTION

Collection is one of the first steps of a solid waste management system; therefore, its proper plan-
ning and implementation can serve as a foundation for a sound waste management system. Disposal
costs continue to grow rapidly across the United States and the costs of waste collection actually
exceed those of ultimate disposal; collection costs range between 40 and 60% of a community’s
solid waste management system costs (U.S. EPA, 1999). Therefore, an efficient collection program
can ultimately hold down waste management costs.

5.2 DEVELOPING A WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM
Collection services are provided to residents in most urban and suburban areas in the United
States as well as in some rural areas either by municipal governments or private haulers.
Collection programs in different communities vary greatly depending on waste types collected,
community characteristics, economics, and the desires of their residents. In recent years, collec-
tion services have expanded in many communities to include the collection of recyclable materi-
als, yard wastes, and even household hazardous wastes. Different collection equipment and
hauling companies are utilized in a single community to serve different customers (e.g., single-
family, multi-family, commercial) or to collect different materials (MSW, recyclables, bulky
waste) from the same customers.
Because collection and waste transfer systems may be complex, many factors and options
must be considered in their planning and design. When a community is considering the imple-
mentation of a new collection program, some of the most immediate variables to identify and
address are waste types, the service area, the level of desired service, public vs. private hauling,
how to fund the program, creating and meeting waste reduction goals, and handling labor con-
tracts. Some of the more salient issues for a community planning its MSW collection program
are discussed below.

5.2.1 CHARACTERIZATION OF WASTES
Intuitively, data concerning waste sources, waste composition, and total volumes are critical for the
proper planning of a collection program. Accurate and current data on the characteristics of munic-
ipal wastes will not only encourage well-organized and smoothly functioning collection, but will
also enhance recycling programs and possibly reduce the amount of waste generated, thus holding
down overall waste management costs. Waste characterization was discussed in Chapter 4.

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