Waste composition analysis is a process of physically separating, weighing, and categorizing waste. This is done with the purpose to understand the composition of the waste generated, to estimate waste amounts generated in a year, and ultimately to improve sustainable waste management. The information acquired from a waste composition analysis supports improved waste data collection which allows for the identification of preventive measures to reduce waste, reuse material, or recycling waste.
This document presents a methodology for waste composition and contamination analysis. It aims to support UN offices and offices in general and includes equipment lists, staff requirements and a step-by-step guidance to complete a waste composition analysis.
The guidance was elaborated in the context of the partnership of Greening the Blue with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency who contracted Sweco for its development.
The methodology was piloted in 2 UN office buildings in 2024, Almaty, Kazakhstan and Geneva, Switzerland. More info on the pilot available at Sorting It Out: UNOG tests SUN’s guidance for waste audit | Greening the Blue