Characterisation of solid wastes from non-ferrous metals recycling

The recycling activities of non-ferrous metals generate solid wastes with h igh contents of heavy metals. The characterisation of these wastes is neces sary in order to assess its impact on the environment and to establish an a ppropriate waste management policy. In this paper, two different methods of characterisation, based on Spanish regulations and 1993 EEC landfill Direc tive draft, have been applied to twelve waste samples from six recycling ac tivities. The results obtained show that the different leaching tests (TCLP or DIN-S4) give different results as far as the chemical composition and e cotoxical behaviour of the samples of waste are concerned.