Waste stream analysis of an extended care facility

Abstract

A waste stream analysis was conducted at a Midwestern extended care facility to quantify the weight and volume of waste disposed and to determine the composition of waste generated. This facility served an average of 217 meals/day to clients in a health care unit and family-style residential dining room. Solid waste at both facilities were sorted into two food (service and production wastes) and eight packaging waste streams (paper, non-aluminum metals, aluminum, paperboard, plastic containers, other plastics, glass, and cardboard). After sorting, each waste stream was weighed and the volume measured using instruments specially designed for this purpose. The composition by weight of solid waste generated included 31.1% production, 38.8% service, and 30.1% packaging waste. Packaging waste contributed 79.9%; service waste 9.5%; and production 10.6% of the volume disposed. Collapsing cardboard boxes and paperboard, metal, and plastic containers decreased the volume of waste disposed 26.3%. Plastic, cardboard, and paperboard were the three packaging materials which contributed most to the volume of solid waste. Clients at this facility generated 0.70 lbs. (0.0015 cubic yards) of food waste/meal and 0.30 lbs. (0.0061 cubic yards) of packaging waste/meal or 1.0 lb of total waste (0.0076 cubic yards)/meal served. These data can be used developing a solid waste management plan for the facility and in estimating the type of waste generated for similar operations although individual waste stream analyses are recommended for each operation.