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130 Waste Management Practices: Municipal, Hazardous, and Industrial
SOLUTION
The above components make up to total 56% of the MSW stream. Of this 56%, however, not all are
potentially recyclable.

Component Expected Recovery (%) MSW (% by wt)
Newspaper 25 7.8
Cardboard 100 5.0
Ferrous 75 7.5
Nonferrous 50 0.5
Glass 75 6.75
Total 27.60
MSW comprises about 50% of total solid waste. As discussed in Chapter 1, the remainder is
industrial, construction and demolition debris, and so on. Therefore, source separation can handle
about 27.6% of 50% or
27.6% 50% 14% of the total solid waste

Unfortunately, no U.S. community has come close to attaining 100% participation in a source sepa-
ration program. If we optimistically assume 50% participation, then 14% 50% 7% is the max-
imum contribution of source separation to recycling (Adapted from Schwarz and Brunner, 1983).

6.4 RECOVERY AND MARKETS FOR COMPONENTS OF THE WASTE STREAM
To understand the opportunities and challenges, and to formulate a holistic approach to waste recy-
cling, it is useful to have a basic understanding of the individual materials involved, various manu-
facturing processes, and the nature of secondary material markets. Questions that recycling
professionals must address include the following:
● What is the demand for reclaimed materials?
● What are the specific requirements for a raw material used by an industry?
● How can a recovered material compete, technologically and economically, with virgin
feedstock?
● Are new processes or equipment necessary in order to process and work with wastes?
● What are the incentives or disincentives that affect the use of recycled materials by
manufacturers?
● Can new uses be identified that will increase the demand for recycled materials? (Adapted
from Rhyner et al., 1995)

6.5 MARKET ISSUES
Price volatility in recycling markets is inherent in the system. Prices for recycled materials follow
the overall demand for manufactured goods. Supply and demand for materials are based on broader
issues such as markets for certain raw materials, trade agreements and tariffs between countries, and
so on. Handling the fluctuations in revenue will help to secure the long-term success of a recycling
program. Some communities manage fluctuations by creating local manufacturing demand for
recycled materials. Others negotiate contracts that include price floors.
Recycling programs that collect a wide variety of materials such as mixed paper, newspaper,
cardboard, glass, metals, plastic bottles, and lead automotive batteries, may be at an advantage over
programs collecting only one or two items. As markets decline for one material, it can be stockpiled
until the market improves; meanwhile, other, more profitable materials can continue to be made
available for sale.