Evaluation of waste management options and resource conservation potentials according to the waste characteristics and household income: A case study in Aegean Region, Turkey

The current study investigates the major components and characteristics of the domestic solid wastes (DSW) as a function of economical conditions for a study area, in order to define the recycling resources and biomass recovery options, as well as to discuss the possible waste management methods for these regions by considering the current and developing environmental legislations and national waste management plans in Turkey. Seasonal variations are also considered in addition to the measured winter data and future projection is designed for waste management in the study area for the following years. The selected area includes Izmir city, Kula town, and Usak city which exist in Aegean Region (Turkey) with different topographic, climatic, economic, and socio-cultural conditions, and populations. Districts representing different income levels in the study sites were determined and detailed sampling studies were conducted in winter. The general distributions of green fraction, fine fraction (