Empirical Analysis of Commercial Solid Waste Generation

Abstract

Commercial establishments contribute significantly to the stream of solid wastes which must be collected, transported, treated, and disposed of in a sanitary manner daily. Government and private agencies engaged in the management of solid waste must consider the commercial contribution in the design and operation of their systems. A study was designed and conducted to provide information on the quantities of solid waste generated by various commercial establishments. Solid waste generation rates were determined, and data indicating operational characteristics were obtained for each establishment studied. Generation rates are related to operational characteristics through multiple step-wise regression analyses. Generation of solid waste by the establishments studied was most closely related to number of employees, number of hours open for business, and type of commercial activity.