Optimizing the Methodology of Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in EU Under a Circular Economy Perspective

The methodology for the characterization of residual municipal solid waste (RMSW) is available since decades. Some modifications have been introduced in order to modernize it. Now, in order to take into account the targets of the circular economy, an additional effort must be made to be sure of generating the right information suitable for the optimization of municipal solid waste in that frame. In that perspective, the Authors present a few proposals in order to avoid mistakes and to deepen the reliability of the data generated during the analysis performed to classify the residual municipal solid waste in fractions. A new model of characterization is thus proposed, suitable for planning waste management in the frame of the circular economy principles.