Generation of waste

Waste generation in the metropolitan area grows every year. For example, in 2000 the metropolitan area
was 1,407,768 tons of waste generated, representing 1.33 pounds per day.Seven years later, in 2007 the
figure had increased to 1,661,692 tonnes, representing 1.46 pounds per day. Since 2008, however, has
started a new trend related to the economic situation.So in 2010 the figure had dropped again to levels of
early: 1,577,203 tons in total, and 1.35 pounds per day.

Waste generation in the WITH

Kg /
Year Tones inhabitant. and
day
2000 1,407,768 1.33
2001 1,429,589 1.34
2002 1,562,116 1.44
2003 1,611,483 1.44
2004 1,660,671 1.48
2005 1,638,074 1.44
2006 1,634,507 1.43
2007 1,661,692 1.46
2008 1,646,665 1.42
2009 1,606,674 1.38
2010 1,577,203 1.35

Despite the efforts of various governments in the prevention of waste, does not seem possible to speak
about waste generation from economic growth. To do so would change the model to a consumption of
material goods but also intangible.

For more information on alternative consumer as immaterial or reduce waste generation in general, see
the section on prevention .

Composition
Apart from variations with respect to the amount of waste in general, the composition of household waste
has changed in recent decades.
In the seventies the organic matter represented over 80% of the total volume of waste. Now, however,
plastics, packaging and glass and cardboard are the most important part.

Segregated collection ratios are difficult to establish the composition of the "bag type", but it is estimated
that the percentages of each fraction are represented in the bag type most recent, 2008. That is 36%
organic matter, 18% paper and cardboard packaging 12%, 7% glass and 27 other materials.

Segregated collection
The segregated collection system that can capture the waste separated at source and transported them
to the respective treatment plants. There are two fundamental and complementary objectives: first, to
separate and recover the maximum amount of recoverable materials and, secondly, to reduce, as much
as possible, the amount of waste carried finalists devices, such as incineration and the deposit.
 Requires the cooperation and efforts of citizens, as the environmental benefits are important and help to
maintain the current quality of life for future generations. For example, currently 40% of waste generated
in the metropolitan area can be recycled or used for the generation of biogas and electricity from
renewable sources.

In general, waste is separated into five fractions majority:

 Glass
 Paper and cardboard
 Packaging
 Organic matter
 REST
Glass, paper and cardboard, the packaging and organic matter fractions are basic segregated
collection. The materials have not been properly selected in origin and difficult to recover some materials
(ceramics, dust, cigarette butts, cotton, etc..) Constitute the rest.

There are other types of waste, for its specific characteristics or because they generate less frequently,
have a specific collection systems (you can check them in the section Other collected ).

How is the segregated collection?

The segregated collection is the responsibility of municipalities and, therefore, each council decides the
model and the right fit for local conditions.

Model Collection

In general, the vast majority of metropolitan municipalities have opted for the model in five fractions
collected ( glass , paper, cardboard , packaging , organic matter and REST ). Some municipalities,
however, apply the so-called minimal model of residue, separating the waste into two fractions: organic
and inorganic

Best practices of segregated collection

Organic matter Remains of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish or bread,
solid food in poor condition, shells of nuts, eggs and
seafood, coffee grounds and tea remains, the remains of
plants, dried flowers and withered branches, tops cork,
Container brown or orange
Best practices of segregated collection

paper towels and paper napkins used.

Papers, newspapers, magazines, cardboard packages,

Paper and
wrappers hand soap, shoe boxes, gift wrapping paper,
cardboard
matching mailbox.

Glass Bottles of all kinds (no cap), pots and flasks.

Plastic: water, milk, detergent, yoghurt, polystyrene

trays.
tin or aluminum cans: beverage, canned food.
Packaging
Briks: milk, wine, juice.
Bags Plastic: the big ones of the other shops.
foil: wrap, aluminum trays.

Anything that can not be used, such as sweeping the

REST
dust, the remains of pottery and diapers.

Dealers [We can deliver to a

dealer when buying a new car Life vehicles. For more information, visit the website
Vehicles
or call the collection of each of the Waste Agency of Catalonia (ARC ).
municipality]

Tires and car oils Tyres, car oils.

or garages

Empty packaging and remnants of drugs, and expired

Medicines medicines that are no longer needed and should not be
Pharmacies done. For more information, visit the website SIGRE .
Best practices of segregated collection

Ink and toner Ink cartridges and toner for all printers.

Bulky Old mattresses, furniture and appliances.

or system indicated for each
council

Waste electrical Old electrical appliances such as refrigerators and

and electronic washing machines, computers, music devices, mobile
fluorescent establishment or at the time of phones, hairdryers, radios, etc..
purchase

Batteries establishment or collaborator Batteries (button, stick ...) batteries.

[hardware stores and
supermarkets that sell, in
general, the shops here]

Bulbs Fluorescent light bulbs used.

Flat glass Broken windows, mirrors and glass tables.

Waste from small renovations and reforms: concrete,

bricks, tiles and pottery, building material derived from
Rune gypsum building materials resulting from asbestos,
or system indicated for each wood, glass, plastic, metals in general, cables, earth and
council stone, sawdust.
Best practices of segregated collection

Clothing and Dishcloths, towels, sheets, shirts, pants and skirts,

textiles sweaters, shoe strings, etc..
other systems and skills in
each municipality

Pens, pencils, kitchen utensils, ceramics, cleaning

products, cooking oils, paints, solvents, aerosols
Other
(deodorant, shaving foam, lacquer containers), cups and
glasses broken.

Treatment
The treatment, unlike the collection of waste is often little known part of the cycle of waste
management. Encompasses a range of techniques, applied to municipal waste, allow reuse, recycle,
recover their energy or pour them into a landfill.

 Triage
 Mechanical and biological treatment
 Energy recovery
 Landfilling
 Treatment of large

Types of treatments and priorities

The treatments are divided into two main types:

 The recovery treatments , allowing materials to reintroduce the cycle of

production and consumption, either for reuse or recycling and composting.
 The final treatment , seeking to eliminate waste as safe as possible.
Obviously, the recovered materials contained in waste is always more favorable and,
therefore, the management model of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) is
heading to get back up to 50% of waste.
To do so, favors the selective collection and complements the selection of people with mechanical and
biological treatment plants (TMB), which recover recyclable materials that are not properly separated.

However, the goal is to apply a treatment to 100% recovery of waste, including the selected fraction
(REST), because they can do to reduce the volume and / or potential contaminant.

Finally, the last important management objective is to achieve a stable management of waste, ie, the
material remaining after treatment inaprofitable.

As can be seen in the hierarchy of waste management side, in the final treatment applicable to waste
energy recovery is preferable to landfilling.

For waste treatment

Depending on the waste being treated, used a technique or another, but always favoring the waste
material recovery and process efficiency.
This scheme is a synthesis of the model waste management program of metropolitan waste
management (PMGRM) .

Evolution in the management of the AMB

In recent years, despite the increase of waste generated in the metropolitan area, has substantially
reduced the amount of waste dumped in landfills due to the application of other more favorable treatment,
such as composting, recycling and methanisation.
 Changes in the treatment of municipal waste

Map of facilities for treating waste

Eco-parks : facilities that values the fractions REST and organic (FORM)
throughmechanical biological treatment (TMB) .

Landfill : facilities where safety deposited with environmental waste that can not be
recovered and the refusal of treatment plants.

Composting plants : Facilities that treat organic material selectively collected by a

biological process to produce an organic fertilizer, compost.

Selection or sorting plants : facilities that separate different waste materials by

manual processes, mechanical, magnetic, etc..
Large treatment plants : storage facilities and / or treatment of waste as the large
volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment or furniture.

Energy recovery plants : incinerators where energy is used and the steam
produced to generate electricity and power air conditioning systems.

Food waste bullets : bullets restore operation using waste in a safe environment.

Closed : in 2006 the landfill has been closed by the Vall d'en Joan, one of the most
famous metropolitan facilities. Want to know more about the post-closure
management and restoration of the valley ?

Transfer stations : temporary storage facilities to optimize the transport to

recycling plants or devices finalists.

Tip : centers are collected and stored selectively municipal waste that are not
subject to collection home to facilitate their recovery.