Detailed Data on Predictive Values Used

General Information [Top]

Area (in square miles) [Top]
The size in square miles of a region in called the region's area.

Region's Population (in thousands) [Top]
A region's population greatly impacts the amount and types of waste an area will produce.

Region's Density (in thousands of people per square mile) [Top]
A region's density is the same as the number of people per square mile. Though area and population can predict much about a region's waste, a region's density is a much better predictor. For example, the habits and routines of a lot of people living in a very small area differ greatly from those of a few people in a very large area. Where there are more people there are more commercial establishments. Where there are few people, there are fewer commercial establishments. The waste stream produced from the two situations would contain different portions of similar materials. In Georgia, this difference can be seen between the Atlanta Regional Commission and Southwest Georgia Regional Development Centers ("RDCs"). The region around Atlanta is a much more densely populated area than Southwest Georgia. One will find more cardboard and film plastic -- materials associated with commercial processes -- in the Atlanta region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, a region's density is used to calculate the amount of paper, plastic, glass, metal, organics and inorganics in the waste stream. It is also used to further calculate percentages of sub categories of glass and organics.

Region's Per Capita Income [Top]
The average income per person ("per capita income") for a region impacts the composition and the total amount of waste that is disposed in the region. In Georgia, this difference can be seen between the Atlanta Regional Commission and Heart of Georgia Regional Development Centers ("RDCs"). The average annual income around the Atlanta area is much higher than that in the Heart of Georgia. The amount of newspaper in the Atlanta area is nearly double that found in the Heart of Georgia area, which is typical of higher income areas. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, a region's per capita income is used to calculate the amount of paper, organics and inorganics in the waste stream. It is also used to calculate percentages of sub categories of plastic, glass, metal, organics, and construction and demolition debris in the waste stream. Per capita income also impacts the number of televisions, tires, and household hazardous wastes in a region -- the higher the average income, the less these materials are being discarded.

Region's Employment Percentages [Top]

Retail [Top]
The percentage of a region's workforce that is employed in the retail industry impacts the amount of certain materials in the waste stream. The higher the retail employment rate, generally, the less paper is seen in the waste. However, a higher rate of retail employment generally shows an increased amount of glass and metal. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, a region's percentage of retail employment is used to calculate the amount of paper, glass and metal in the waste stream. It is also used to calculate yard waste and food waste.

Agricultural [Top]
The percentage of a region's workforce that is employed in the agricultural industry impacts the amount of certain materials in the waste stream. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, a region's percentage of agricultural employment is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of paper, yard waste, wood and other construction and demolition materials.

Manufacturing [Top]
The percentage of a region's workforce that is employed in the manufacturing industry impacts the amount of certain materials in the waste stream. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, a region's percentage of manufacturing employment is used to calculate the percentages of sub categories of plastics and other inorganic materials.

Farming [Top]
The percentage of a region's workforce that is employed in the farming industry impacts the amount of certain materials in the waste stream. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, a region's percentage of farming employment is used to calculate percentages of yard waste, sub categories of construction and demolition debris, tires, and other inorganic materials.

Region's Availability of Recycling Programs [Top]

Paper Recycling Programs

Newspaper Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of newspaper recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In Georgia, newspaper is the most commonly recycled paper product. Therefore the number of newspaper recycling programs greatly affects the amount of paper in the waste stream -- the more paper that is recycled; the less paper needs to be landfilled. As a result, the lower the amount of newspaper in the waste stream, the percentages of other material categories will be higher. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of newspaper recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate the amount of paper, metal, and inorganics in the waste stream. It is also used to calculate percentages of sub categories of paper

Corrugated Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of corrugated recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of corrugated recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of paper.

Magazine Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of magazine recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of magazine recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of paper.

Other Paper Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of other paper recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of other paper recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of paper.

Plastic Recycling Programs

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) Plastic Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of PETE plastic recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In Georgia, PETE plastic is the most commonly recycled plastic product. Therefore the number of PETE plastic recycling programs greatly affects the amount of plastic in the waste stream -- the more plastic that is recycled, the less plastic needs to be landfilled. As a result, the lower the amount of PETE plastic in the waste stream, the percentages of other material categories will be higher. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of PETE recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate the amount of paper and plastic in the waste stream. It is also used to calculate percentages of sub categories of plastic.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Plastic Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of HDPE plastic recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of HDPE plastic recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of plastic.

Other Rigid Plastic Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of other rigid plastic recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of other rigid plastic recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of plastic.

Metal Recycling Programs

Aluminum Can Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of aluminum can recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In Georgia, aluminum cans are the most commonly recycled metal product. Therefore the number of aluminum can recycling programs greatly affects the amount of metal in the waste stream -- the more metal that is recycled, the less metal needs to be landfilled. As a result, the lower the amount of aluminum cans in the waste stream, the percentages of other material categories will be higher. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of aluminum can recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate the amount of glass and metal in the waste stream. It is also used to calculate percentages of sub categories of metal.

Scrap Metal Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of scrap metal recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of scrap metal recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of metal.

Steel Cans Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of steel can recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of steel can recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of metal.

Other Recycling Programs

Glass Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of glass recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of glass recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of glass.

White Goods Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of white goods recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region.In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of white goods recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of plastic, inorganics, sub categories of electronics, household hazardous waste, and other inorganics.

Christmas Tree Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of Christmas tree recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region.In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of Christmas tree recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of organics -- especially the amount of non-construction and demolition wood.

Agri-Chemical Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of agri-chemical recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of agri-chemical recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of organics.

Anti Freeze Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of anti freeze recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of anti freeze recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of inorganics.

Auto Battery Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of auto battery recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of glass recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of inorganics.

Motor Oil Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of motor oil recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of motor oil recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of inorganics.

Tire Recycling Programs [Top]
The number of tire recycling programs available for a region impacts the composition of waste that is disposed in the region. In the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Computer Model, the number of tire recycling programs available in a region is used to calculate percentages of sub categories of inorganics.

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