Monitoring Municipal Solid Waste Along the Collection Chain: Composition and Property Shifts from Source to Communal Storage and Dumpsite in Sialkot, Pakistan

Municipal waste composition is commonly measured at a single point, even though recovery, mixing and handling can alter the stream before disposal. This study examined municipal solid waste in Sialkot, Pakistan, during an eight-day campaign from 27 December 2021 to 3 January 2022. A total of 672 physical-characterization samples was obtained from residential, commercial, institutional, industrial and street-sweeping sources. Household generation was 0.42, 0.46 and 0.51 kg per person per day in low-, middle- and high-income proxy areas, respectively. Kitchen waste declined from 45.91% at the source to 34.20% at communal storage and 23.45% at the dumpsite. Recyclable paper and plastic also declined, whereas dust and fines increased from 2.05% at the source to 19.60% at storage and 21.78% at disposal. Six mixed-waste composites showed moisture contents of 30.72–53.06%, ash contents of 15.85–45.04% and gross calorific values of 2924–12,530 kcal kg−1. The results demonstrate that monitoring location materially affects estimated recycling and treatment potential. A multi-point monitoring protocol is therefore recommended for cities with mixed collection and informal material recovery.