Implications of shorter sampling durations on the analysis of municipal solid waste generation and composition

Reliable waste data underpins effective policy — but traditional sampling methods are costly, time-intensive and difficult to sustain. This study challenges the assumption that longer sampling is always better. Using field data from Banyuwangi and Jembrana, it demonstrates that four-day sampling can produce results as robust as standard eight-day protocols, across seasons and weekdays. The paper offers a pragmatic pathway to faster, more cost-effective waste monitoring without compromising scientific rigour.