CHARACTERIZATION OF WASTE MATERIALS ORIGINATING FROM QUEBEC SUPERMARKETS AND AN ASSESSMENT OF RECYCLING POTENTIAL

This study evaluated, both qualitatively and quantitatively, waste mat erials from several major Quebec grocery stores. Averaged over nine sa mpling dares, cardboard, paper and wood products represented 43 and 74 % of waste material, based on weight and volume, respectively while or ganic matter including fruits. vegetables, baked goods and meat produc ts represented 40 and 10% of waste material based on weight and volume . Plastics, wrapping and bagging materials, represented over 7 and 13% of waste material based on weight and volume, respectively, and other recyclable waste materials such as glass, metal and various miscellan eous objects, represented 4 and 2% of waste material based on weight a nd volume. On average, 60.6 kg waste/employee per week was generated b y the three stores. Store size was not a determining factor in the com position of grocery store waste material. These results suggest that c osts associated with supermarket waste disposal may be substantially r educed by source-separation of recyclable and compostable materials wh ile reducing pressure for incineration or landfill. Therefore, the ado ption of recycling and source-separation programs, and studies to dete rmine problems and costs associated with the implementation of such pr ograms are recommended. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.