Waste Characterization Guide: California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
This guide created by the CIWMB outlines methods for designing and implementing a waste characterization study at the municipal level. It was created for cities trying to conduct their own study to meet California state requirements, so it includes and provides links to technical information. The guide includes descriptions of the following:
Characterization methods
- Landfill sampling
- Waste generator sampling
- Use of existing data
- Combination
Representative data requirements
- Selecting samples for field studies
- Determining number of samples
- Use of statistically representative existing data
Sorting protocols
- Field sorting protocols
- Standard material type definitions
- Protocol for lumping/splitting material categories
- Protocol for classifying composites
Data analysis
- Landfill sampling & generator sampling
This guide was created for municipalities in California because they are required to perform a characterization study to comply with state law. For that reason, it does have some state specific information, but because it was designed to be used by all types of cities for in-house implementation, it is a useful tool for any municipality attempting to characterize their waste.
