Household waste analysed

03 October 2011

The Transport and Technical Services (TTS) Recycling Team is currently investigating what we throw away by conducting a ‘waste composition analysis.’

The analysis involves sorting the contents of parish refuse trucks delivering household rubbish to the Energy from Waste plant at La Collette. The rubbish is sorted into 18 categories and weighed before being disposed of.

The aim of the project is to provide an up-to-date snapshot of what Islanders are throwing away. The focus is on the mixed contents of each refuse lorry so will not relate to individual households. This information will be discussed with the parishes and inform a review of the Island’s Solid Waste Strategy published in 2005.

Already the exercise has produced some interesting results with refuse trucks containing items such as a whole lawn mower, ironing boards and even a wedding dress.

Recycling Manager Emma Richardson said "This is the first time we have conducted a detailed local waste composition analysis. The results will help us to better understand what people are throwing away and what is being separated for re-use and recycling. Our new Energy from Waste facility runs to very high environmental standards and it is vital that glass, metals, recyclables and hazardous waste do not end up in black bags. The analysis will help us target our efforts to get the message across.”