Evaluation of factors influencing residual waste composition and waste collection rates in Austria 2018/2019 for the development of an efficient analysis concept

Previous waste analyses at the state level were limited not only by a lack of standards and different questions, but above all by the low sample mass and thus the low significance of the results. The effectiveness of waste management collection systems and other measures was therefore often not possible. A nationwide analysis makes it possible, on the basis of a much higher sample mass or number, as well as the nationwide greater heterogeneity of the system design, to make much more precise statements as to whether, for example, certain collection systems are more efficient than others. The main objective of the project is the identification and quantification of factors influencing mass fractions (mass-%) or the specific mass (kg/Ew/a) of relevant waste fractions in residual waste. In each case, groups of individual samples are formed which are grouped according to one factor or a combination of several factors based on the factors mentioned below. When examining the factors, a distinction must be made in particular between factors that can be influenced with reference to measures (e.g. collection systems, container sizes, collection intervals) and factors that cannot be influenced (e.g. characteristics of properties and regions). The quantification of the "separation collection potential" based on this also pursues the goal of defining influencing factors on separation collection rates as well as separation collection potentials for waste materials (waste paper and cardboard, waste glass, biogenic waste and light and metal packaging) for the above-mentioned factors or factor combinations in order to identify optimization potentials in the sense of comprehensive, regional benchmarking. The results should also be usable for the orientation of future packages of measures (e.g. with regard to the recycling rate for municipal waste to be achieved in the amount of 55% and 65% by 2025 and 2035, respectively). Accompanying objectives to be pursued in the methodological-content network include the evaluation and implementation of possibilities for sample mass reduction through adapted, cross-national stratification as well as the evaluation and optimization of evaluation methods.