We sort through solid waste and recovery streams to deliver reliable data on material generation, composition, and flow.
Since the late 1980s, Cascadia has specialized in designing and conducting waste characterization studies. From nationwide litter studies to back-of-house commercial generator audits to curbside cart-based capture rate studies, Cascadia’s expert team is adept at shaping studies that deliver reliable, representative data about the materials we use and where they end up.
Our methodologies include mobile and centralized sampling, hand sorts and visual estimations, and advanced analyses that break down streams by generator, by geography, or by material type and provide clients with reliable data for waste reduction policymaking. Cascadia is continually advancing the state of the art in waste characterization, including current work with key partners to train and refine the artificial neural networks employed by robotic sorting equipment.
Examples of our support include:
- Large-scale characterization studies (e.g., state and regional studies)
- Metropolitan, city, county, and community characterization studies
- Institutional (campus and multi-property) characterization studies
- Commercial and multifamily facility-based generator audits
We customize our approach to focus on:
- Specific material categories
- Specific generating sectors or industries (e.g. food waste generators)
- Primary streams (waste, recycling, organics, construction & demolition debris, hazardous waste)
- Irregular streams (litter, illegal dumping, storm drain debris)
- EPR and take-back program targets (item types and brands)
- Processing residuals
