MORPHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF MIXED MUNICIPAL WASTE AND PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR PETPACKAGING MANAGEMENT IN URBAN AREA

This study analyzed the current state of mixed waste collection, with a special focus on the treatment of PET packaging waste in the urban area of a smaller town. The morphological composition of mixed waste from containers at three locations adjacent to the elementary school,healthcare facility and residential complex, was determined to assess the amount of polymer waste, and its composition was subsequently analyzed. It was concluded that the proportion of polymer waste is higher in the waste container near the school, followed by the waste container near the healthcare facility. The proportion of PET bottles in mixed waste near healthcare facility was some higher to that near the elementary school. It was also observed that PET bottles in waste near residential buildings were larger in size compared to those in waste near the elementary school.To improve the management of PET packaging waste, smaller bottle collection binswere proposed, along with suggested locations for these bins on the map of the town of Zvornik. Additionally, a collection system for PET bottles was proposed, including a company for emptying the bins and transporting the waste to a recycling facility.KEYWORDS:PET packaging waste, waste recycling, urban area