The effects of Dual-Stream commingled collection of recyclables from households in Sønderborg, Denmark: 2nd International Conference WASTES: Solutions, Treatments and Opportunities, September 11th-13th 2013

One year after its introduction in the municipality of Sønderborg, the kerbside collection of commingled recyclable materials from households has significantly altered waste flows and treatment opportunities. This study evaluates the consequences of these changes and compares the performance of the previous and current waste management systems in the municipality in terms of primary energy and greenhouse gas emission savings.
In the new systems approx. 65% more materials are collected for recycling (an increase from 18% to 30% in the share of domestic household waste). The corresponding decrease in residual waste, which is used for energy production in the local waste CHP plant, is being compensated by import of industrial waste from northern Germany.
The results of this study credit the new management system with an increase of 8-26% in primary energy and 5-33% in GHG emissions savings over the old management system, depending on the exclusion/inclusion of implications related to imported waste amounts in the system analysis.