Abstract |
Office building solid waste generally contains a mixture of paper grades and types which, by weight, comprise 85 to 95 percent of quantities generated. The heterogeneous nature of the paper fraction has historically discouraged wastepaper dealers from pursuing office buildings as a primary source of paper stock. Separated from the waste stream at the point of generation, however, can rid recyclable paper of prohibitive contaminants such as carbon paper, bottles, cans, and organic materials. Source separated quantities are then marketable. The study objective was to assess source separation as a viable resource recovery option in office buildings. Three basic approaches to office building source separation were studied in twelve case study locations: Desk top; dual basket; and, central container. |