Monthly Variations in Solid Generation

The monthly quantities of residential, commercial, industrial and other wastes generated between 1985-1989 in Brown County, Wisconsin, U.S.A. are analysed. For each month and each waste type, the quantity of waste generated is compared with the monthly average and the difference is computed as a percentage. The means and standard deviations of these percentage differences are computed for each month using the five values computed for each of the five years. The generation patterns for residential, commercial, construction and demolition wastes, and discarded tires show lower than average generation in winter months and higher than average in summer months, with the residential and commercial components being the most predictable. Ash has the opposite pattern with the most produced in winter months. General industrial wastes are produced at an almost constant rate throughout the year, typically varying by less than 10% from the monthly average. Sludge appears to be the least predictable component of the waste stream.