This article reports on development of a protocol for characterizing municipal solid waste (MSW). This protocol is similar to that recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials but includes a distinction between pure and mixed loads of MSW. Thirteen component categories were used with a focus on material feed stock for composting, recycling, and reuse. The required number of samples was determined to achieve a 80, 90, and 95 statistical accuracy for characterizing MSW categories at 1 and 2 sampling error. This study found that a maximum of 25 randomly collected samples of 200 pounds will reflect each component category of mixed load MSW with at least a 95 confidence level and 2 error. This protocol was successfully tested in Monongalia County, West Virginia, to provide a ''snapshot'' MSW characterization during early summer. References: 26
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