Waste Composition Study (Enoch Cree Nation)
- Location: Enoch Cree Nation, Alberta
- Partners: Enoch Cree Nation (ECN), TSAG, and Tetra Tech Canada
- Website: https://www.tsag.net/
Project Description
Enoch Cree Nation (ECN), TSAG, and Tetra Tech Canada collaborated to perform a single day waste composition study. The purpose of the study was to characterize the materials present in the K—12 school garbage streams. The waste audit team was led by Tetra Tech with field sorters from ECN and TSAG Environmental Services staff. The ECN public works department was instrumental in collecting the waste bins from the school and providing a place for the sorting, characterizing, weighing and recording of waste.
Prior to sorting the waste, safety training was provided by Tetra Tech on how to handle physical hazards such as sharps and biohazardous material, safe lifting practices and working around equipment. Personal protective equipment including nitrile gloves, Kevlar gloves, Tyvek suits, and safety glasses were worn by the entire sorting team.
Enoch Cree Nation (ECN), TSAG, and Tetra Tech Canada collaborated to perform a single day waste composition study. The purpose of the study was to characterize the materials present in the K—12 school garbage streams. The waste audit team was led by Tetra Tech with field sorters from ECN and TSAG Environmental Services staff. The ECN public works department was instrumental in collecting the waste bins from the school and providing a place for the sorting, characterizing, weighing and recording of waste.
Prior to sorting the waste, safety training was provided by Tetra Tech on how to handle physical hazards such as sharps and biohazardous material, safe lifting practices and working around equipment. Personal protective equipment including nitrile gloves, Kevlar gloves, Tyvek suits, and safety glasses were worn by the entire sorting team.
Project Results
The waste was sorted into 13 primary material categories and then further separated into 62 sub-categories. The primary categories included paper, plastic, compostable organics, non-compostable organics, textiles, metal, glass, building material, electronics, household hazardous waste, household hygiene, bulky objects and fines.
The waste was sorted into 13 primary material categories and then further separated into 62 sub-categories. The primary categories included paper, plastic, compostable organics, non-compostable organics, textiles, metal, glass, building material, electronics, household hazardous waste, household hygiene, bulky objects and fines.
Project Outputs
The diversion potential was found to be high given that the community is close to a wide range of recycling and diversion programs. If all the material was sorted and uncontaminated (no mixing of materials) the school could divert up to 80% of the waste that was sorted.
The diversion potential was found to be high given that the community is close to a wide range of recycling and diversion programs. If all the material was sorted and uncontaminated (no mixing of materials) the school could divert up to 80% of the waste that was sorted.