Resources in Residual Waste – Does an Extra Recycling Bin Make Sense?

Based on this information a residual waste analyze was carried out in the Zollernalbkreis (Baden-Württemberg, Gemany), in order to clarify how many resources are in common residual waste. Seven main waste fractions were sorted: residual waste, wood (organic), metals: NE-metals and FE-metals, paper/cardboard/board, lightweight packaging, plastics, similar non-packaging, electronic waste and substitute fuels. The results show that 38 wt.-% are value resources like metals, similar non-packaging, electronic waste and substitute fuels, 38 wt.-% are organics and 5 wt.-% are lightweight packaging. Only 19 wt.-% can be assigned to the residual waste. To sum up waste fractions are used for other economic purposes contain 81 wt.-% of the overall residual waste. This means an enormous savings potential.