The Real Share of the Morphological Components of Municipal Waste Generated in Municipal Systems in Poland

The aim of this study was to determine the real share of the morphological components of the municipal waste generated in the municipal systems in Poland (all municipal waste collected from the communes). So far, the analysis of the morphological composition of municipal waste has not involved all of the waste streams. In addition, it is necessary to use factors for correcting estimates of waste mass to prevent false increases in the mass of certain groups of waste. Determining the real morphological composition of municipal waste is necessary for proper calculation of the levels of readiness for the re-use and recycling of municipal waste. This study shows that bio-waste accounted for the largest mass share of 28.68%, followed by paper, glass, and plastic, constituting 10.78%, 10.59%, and 10.29%, respectively. This study reveals the proportion of the rubble and mineral fractions is 6.60% in total; however, these fractions should not be found in municipal waste, according to the given definition of this waste and the indicated codes for municipal waste. The content of <10 mm and 10–20 mm fractions was high, amounting for a total of 11.60%. The <20 mm fine fraction contained, among other components, glass, earth, bio-waste, plastics, ceramics, and small stones. The following conditions contributed to the high share of the fine fraction: the crumbling of various groups of waste, the time of storage at the place of production, incorrect separate collection of waste by primary producers, and the means by which it was transported to waste treatment plants. This causes the morphological composition of the generated waste to differ from that of the waste supplied for treatment. For this reason and others, it is necessary to change the methodology for determining the morphological composition of municipal waste generated in the Polish municipal systems.