DETERMINATION OF SOLID WASTE COMPOSITION AT THE SORTING STATION. A CASE STUDY OF THREE CITIES IN ROMANIA.

Municipal waste has become a pressing concern, driven by the increasing volume of waste generation and its adverse impact on communities. Effectively managing municipal waste is a joint responsibility shared between public authorities and the general population. Romania is obliged to adhere to its commitments to the European Commission by implementing economic tools to enhance municipal waste management. One such instrument is the Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS), which encompasses all facets of waste management, encompassing collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal. This research endeavors to evaluate the density and composition of selectively collected waste in three cities in Romania and to gauge the public's awareness and competence in correctly segregating waste within integrated and non-integrated waste collection systems. The primary objectives of this study are to assess the public's knowledge of selective waste collection, the accuracy of waste segregation, and the disparities between these management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]