Examples of solid waste analysis and characterization in accordance with contemporary european environmental legislation

Abstract

European legislation specifies a series of analyses that have to be conducted in order to determine indicators on waste generation, treatment and disposal, as well as to ensure that the latter takes place in ways that ensure the protection of human health and environment. These analyses include sampling surveys in selected areas, determination of physicochemical and biological characteristics of waste, as well as the testing of material streams deriving from waste treatment and disposal. Waste characterization is not only directly imposed by European legislation, but is also indirectly required in order to plan and operate waste treatment facilities in a secure and cost-effective manner. This paper discusses the analyses imposed by legislation and the entire frame of analyses performed on waste, accompanied by examples and results that were derived in the frame of specific research projects, as well as their potential applications.