Methodology to quantify single-use plastic products in municipal solid waste Part 2: Quantification of tobacco products with filters in Germany

Abstract

Discharge from unrestricted tobacco products with filters (TPF) causes environmental damage. To reduce TPF litter quantities, Directive (EU) 2019/904 requires TPF producers to proportionally contribute to the costs of discarding their products in public waste collection systems, including litter waste ones. An appropriate output-based cost model requires assessing TPF quantities in relevant waste streams. Currently, there is no comprehensive data available on TPF quantities in municipal solid waste (MSW). Therefore, a case study was conducted to quantify TPF in MSW. This study aimed to determine TPF quantities (1) in residual waste from four German district types and (2) in waste from public collection systems for three settlement structures within Trier City. Relevant waste streams from public collection systems, namely waste from public waste receptacles, street-cleaning waste and sinkhole residues, were identified. For both sampling campaigns, consideration was given to extrapolating the results to a larger scale. The results showed that the average specific TPF quantities in residual waste were 277.7, 271.8, 193.3 and 204.5 gi− 1a− 1 in the selected city district, urban district, densely populated rural district and sparsely populated rural district, respectively. Extrapolation of these results to Germany yielded a specific TPF quantity in residual waste of 250.3 gi-1a-1. The average specific TPF quantities in waste from public waste receptacles, street-cleaning waste and sinkhole residues were 12.2, 47.4 and 9.9 gi−1a− 1, respectively. The results could contribute to cost model development based on Directive (EU) 2019/904.