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City Assessment & Planning

Waste Characterisation Study

What the waste is actually made of — the composition that decides how to process it.

Segregated waste streams sorted into categories
What it is

A characterisation study breaks the waste stream into wet, dry, recyclable, inert and reject fractions by weight. Composition — not just tonnage — determines whether composting, RDF, recycling or a mix is the right processing route.

Why it matters
  • Processing technology choice depends entirely on composition
  • It sizes composting vs dry-waste vs RDF capacity correctly
  • It reveals recyclable value and reject fractions to plan for
What the waste is made of

Composition decides the processing route

Tonnage tells you how much; characterisation tells you what — and composition, not weight, decides whether composting, RDF or recycling is right.

Wet / organicComposting or biomethanation
Dry recyclablesMRF → recyclers
InertConstruction-grade / landfill
RejectRDF or scientific disposal
How we do it

A clear, practical approach

01Sampling design

Representative sampling across seasons, sources and wards.

02Sort & weigh

Physical composition analysis by fraction, with moisture and calorific indicators.

03Composition report

Fraction-wise breakdown mapped to viable processing routes.

Proof on the ground

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FAQ

Waste Characterisation Study — quick answers

The essentials, then talk to us for your specifics.

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What is Waste Characterisation Study?
A characterisation study breaks the waste stream into wet, dry, recyclable, inert and reject fractions by weight. Composition — not just tonnage — determines whether composting, RDF, recycling or a mix is the right processing route.
Who needs Waste Characterisation Study?
It's built for ULBs & processing planners. Processing technology choice depends entirely on composition It sizes composting vs dry-waste vs RDF capacity correctly
How does Social Lab deliver Waste Characterisation Study?
Sampling design: Representative sampling across seasons, sources and wards. Sort & weigh: Physical composition analysis by fraction, with moisture and calorific indicators. Composition report: Fraction-wise breakdown mapped to viable processing routes. You get: Weight-based composition breakdown; Wet/dry/recyclable/reject split by source; Processing-route recommendations.
Where to next

Explore the rest of our waste-circularity work — by service, by who you are, or by where you operate.

Let’s talk

Need waste characterisation study?

Tell us where you are and we'll scope it — baseline to measured impact.

Or call +91 95794 42142 · [email protected]