Abstract
Sorted collection is essential for the promotion of municipal solid waste recycling. Consequently, energy cost and the resulting emissions associated with sorted collections need to be thoroughly estimated in order to determine the net reduction effect of recycling in terms of resource-saving and environmental load. In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted to understand the travel distance of collection vehicles, using factors such as fuel consumption, collection timings, etc. as the primary data. With a focus on plastic packaging in particular, data was collected for each waste classification before and after sorted collection of plastic packaging was established. The travel distance for collecting a certain weight of each waste classification in each municipality was compared with the estimated distance shown on the Grid City Model. In one municipality, the total travel distance did not increase as a result of sorted collection for plastic packaging. The total frequency was constant before and after sorted collection started here.
