Solid Waste Characterization Site Map
Background/Source Data
What is Waste Characterization?
Learn about waste characterization and CalRecycle's efforts to find out how much paper, glass, food waste, etc. is
discarded in the waste stream.
CalRecycle Waste Characterization Studies
A list and brief synopsis of each of the waste characterization studies that have been conducted by
CalRecycle and the former California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Uniform Waste Disposal Characterization Method
Details about solid waste characterization data collection methods approved by CalRecycle. These waste
characterization methods should be employed by California jurisdictions, businesses and others interested in
modeling their waste stream.
Health and Safety Guidelines for Waste Characterization Studies
Suggested safety guidelines for
performing visual and/or physical characterizations of nonhazardous solid
waste from various selected garbage dumpsters, transfer stations, and
sanitary landfills.
Physical and Visual Solid Waste Sorting Procedures
Suggested guidelines for performing
visual and/or physical sorts of nonhazardous solid waste from selected
garbage dumpsters, transfer stations, and sanitary landfills.
Construction and Demolition Waste Stream Composition Calculator
Learn about an Excel spreadsheet analysis tool jurisdictions can
use in conjunction with field data collection to evaluate the material composition of the disposed C&D waste stream.
Generation Rates: Other Sources
View solid waste generation rates has reported in various sources nationwide.
Use the Waste Characterization Tool
Commercial Waste Stream by Business Group
View estimates of waste composition by business group and disposed or diverted stream
for a specified material type, or all materials together, for a specified California jurisdiction(s).
Commercial Waste Stream by Material Type
View waste composition estimates by material type and disposed or diverted stream
for a specific business group and California jurisdiction(s).
Residential Waste Stream by Material Type
View residential waste composition by material type and disposed stream for a
specified California jurisdiction(s).
Business Group Waste Stream Calculator
Use CalRecycle's statewide average data for business waste streams to estimate
data for an individual business or group of businesses by entering employment data.
Waste Characterization Tool Limits and Background
Learn about the how the waste characterization tool works, how it was developed, and
important data limitations to be aware of.
Tool Nuts and Bolts
Suppressed Business Group Data
Learn more about why commercial waste composition estimates provided by the waste
characterization tool do not always include all business groups in a jurisdiction.
Business Groups Listing
View definitions and NAICS codes of the business groups used in recent CalRecycle waste characterization studies.
Material Types Listing
View definitions of the material types used in recent CalRecycle waste characterization studies.
Disposal and Diversion Rates for Business Groups
A list of statewide per employee waste disposal and diversion rates for business groups.
Residential Disposal Compositions for California Regions
Regional and statewide residential disposal composition by material type organized by region.
Study Regions Description and Counties Listing
A list of California counties in each region that were used in recent CalRecycle waste characterization studies.
Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact CalRecycle waste characterization staff at wastechar@calrecycle.ca.gov
Solid Waste Characterization: https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/WasteCharacterization/
Contact: wastechar@calrecycle.ca.gov