Product Catalogue ALS EUROPE (WASTE)

Significance of the Topic

Waste analysis and characterization underpin safe landfill operations, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection. Comprehensive testing of leachate and solid waste ensures that inorganic and organic contaminants remain below threshold values. This supports sustainable waste management, resource recovery, and public health safeguards.

Objectives and Overview

The ALS product catalogue for waste details standardized analytical offerings across a range of matrices and regulatory scenarios. It serves stakeholders needing reliable data for:

• Landfill acceptance for inert, non-hazardous, and hazardous waste
• Biowaste quality and stability assessment
• Surface spreading criteria and ecotoxicity screening
• Supplementary testing for dioxins, PCBs, PBDE and PAH
• Fuel quality and emission factor determination for liquid and solid fuels

Methodologies and Instrumentation

ALS laboratories employ international standards for sample preparation and leaching tests including single stage, two stage and percolation column procedures. Analytical platforms include:

• ICP-OES and AAS for elemental analysis
• GC-MS, GC-ECD and GC-FID for organic pollutants
• High resolution GC-HRMS for ultra-trace dioxin and PCB congeners
• Coulometric TOC analysis and calorimetry for organic carbon and calorific value
• Microbiological assays for coliforms, Salmonella and enterococci
• Ecotoxicity bioassays ranging from Microtox to fish, daphnia, algae and seed germination tests
• Fuel parameters via viscometry, distillation, flash point and calorific determinations

Main Findings and Discussion

The catalogue presents detection limits and sample requirements aligned with EU Council Decision 2003/33/EC and other regional regulations. Defined limit values cover metals, anions, phenol index, DOC, TDS, TOC, PAH, PCB, PCDD/F and more. Packages are tailored for waste acceptance criteria, biowaste stability, soil spreading limits, and detailed speciation of persistent organic pollutants. Rapid turnaround options and online data delivery enhance decision making.

Benefits and Practical Applications

By consolidating a broad spectrum of tests under ISO 17025 accredited procedures, ALS offers:

• Regulatory compliance support for landfill operators and waste producers
• Quality assurance for compost and recovered materials
• Risk assessment through ecotoxicological screening
• Optimized fuel utilization and emissions calculations for industrial users
• Customizable analytical packages to address site specific requirements

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging demands include ultra-trace screening of novel contaminants, isotopic speciation for source tracking, integration of high throughput and rapid response services, and digitalization of reporting. Advances in automation and data analytics will enable more predictive environmental monitoring and streamlined compliance workflows.

Conclusion

ALS product catalogue for waste exemplifies a comprehensive suite of analytical services designed to meet diverse environmental, regulatory and industrial needs. Its standardized methods, extensive instrumentation, and global laboratory network deliver timely, accurate data that drive sustainable waste management and fuel performance optimization.