Product Catalogue ALS EUROPE (WASTE)

Significance of Waste Analysis

Accurate characterization of waste streams is essential for environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and resource recovery. Analytical testing ensures that landfill acceptance criteria are met, potential toxic releases are minimized and circular economy objectives are supported by assessing fuel quality and compost stability.

Study Objectives and Overview

This product catalogue outlines the comprehensive suite of analytical services offered by ALS Life Sciences Europe for solid waste, leachate, biowaste, ecotoxicity and fuel testing. It defines testing packages to meet EU Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC), specialised biowaste assessments, persistent organic pollutant measurements and fuel quality evaluation for both liquid and solid matrices.

Methodology and Instrumentation

ALS employs standardized sample preparation and leaching protocols (EN 12457, CEN/TS 14405) including single-step, two-stage and column tests. Common analytical techniques include:

• ICP-OES and AAS for metals
• Coulometry for total organic carbon
• GC-FID, GC-ECD and GC-MS for hydrocarbons, PAHs and PCBs
• HRGC-HRMS for dioxins, furans, coplanar PCBs and PBDEs
• Microtox bioluminescent assay for rapid ecotoxicity screening
• Standardised bioassays (Daphnia, fish, algae, plants) for acute toxicity
• Calorimetry for gross and net calorific values
• Optical microscopy for qualitative asbestos identification

Main Capabilities and Discussion

The catalogue specifies limit values (EU 2003/33/EC) and typical LOQs for inert, non-hazardous and hazardous waste leachate and dry matter analysis. Packages cover:

• WAC testing for metals, anions, DOC, TDS and organic parameters
• Biowaste quality: elemental content, PAHs, PCBs, AT4 stability and calorific value
• Ecotoxicity battery: fish, invertebrates, algae, seed germination and duckweed
• Persistent organic pollutants in leachate and solids: dioxins, coplanar PCBs, PBDEs
• Fuel characterization: calorific values, elemental analysis, ash, moisture, chlorine, emission factors

These offerings reflect ALS’s ISO 17025-accredited network, enabling consistent cross-border testing and rapid turnaround via the ALS Quick express service.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Key advantages to clients include:

• Regulatory compliance: meeting EU directives and local legislation
• Risk management: identifying hazardous constituents before disposal
• Operational efficiency: fast results (1–3 days) for process control
• Resource recovery: assessing fuel quality and compost stability for reuse
• Global reach: consistent methods across 31 European locations

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging developments in waste analysis are likely to include:

• High-resolution mass spectrometry for novel contaminants (PFAS, microplastics)
• Automation and robotics in sample preparation to increase throughput
• Advanced speciation techniques for critical elements and organometallics
• Digital data integration and AI-driven interpretation to support real-time decision-making
• Life-cycle analysis tools to link analytical data with environmental impact assessments

Conclusion

ALS Life Sciences Europe provides a robust platform of analytical services covering waste acceptance, biowaste quality, ecotoxicity and fuel characterization. With accredited methodologies, extensive instrumentation and rapid reporting, clients gain reliable data to support environmental stewardship, regulatory adherence and circular economy goals.

References

There are no specific literature references in this catalogue.