Frequently asked questions
My computer will not allow the macros in KAT to run
I want to model alternate week collections
How do I model food waste only or co-collected food waste services?
How do I model my existing alternate week collections?
How do I model garden waste collections?
There are more than two kerbside recycling collections. How do I model them in one KAT?
My computer will not allow the macros in KAT to run
Check that the security level is set at ‘medium’ (Tools > Options > Security > Macro Security > Security Level > Medium) as this allows the macros embedded in KAT to be enabled. You must select the ‘Enable Macros’ option in the message box, which should appear when KAT is opened. It is not possible to operate KAT if the macros are disabled.
Back to topKAT has been designed to require only a minimum amount of data and uses default figures gained from extensive observations and reviews of existing schemes. The minimum data requirements are set out in Section 2.3 of the User Manual. All the default values can be replaced with local values which will increase the relevance/reliability/accuracy of the results. Section 4 of the User Manual defines each data set.
Back to topI want to model alternate week collections
Alternate week collections can either consist of refuse one week followed by recycling the next using the same or dedicated vehicles or can be two different recycling services using the same or dedicated vehicles. Details of how to model this are given in User Guide A (220 kb) ![[pdf]](/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
. Refer also to Section 3.3.3 and Section 3.3.4 of the User Manual.
How do I model food waste only or co-collected food waste services?
User Guide B (167 kb) describes the key parameters that need to be considered when modelling food waste collections. Refer also to Section 3.3.3 of the User Manual.
How do I model my existing alternate week collections?
Alternate week collections can either consist of refuse one week followed by recycling the next using the same or dedicated vehicles or can be two different recycling services using the same or dedicated vehicles. User Guide C (192 kb) describes the steps involved in modelling your existing alternate week collections. Refer also to Section 3.3.1 and Section 3.3.2 of the User Manual.
How do I account for multiple containers? Householders have more than one container for their recycling service. How do I account for this in KAT?
KAT assumes that if two containers are presented at the same time (e.g. a box and a sack) they will both be carried to the vehicle at the same time. The loading time will be determined by the container that takes the longest to collect and unload. Where certain multiple containers (e.g. two boxes or a box and a food waste container) are presented at the same time for loading on to the same vehicle it can be advisable to adjust the default loading times and the default costs will have to be altered. Guidance is given in User Guide D (164 kb) and Section 3.3.3 of the User Manual.
How do I model garden waste collections?
KAT can be adjusted to take into account the seasonal fluctuations in garden waste arisings. Refer to User Guide E (111 kb) and Section 3.3.3 of the User Manual.
My authority is split between a distinct rural and distinct urban area. How do I account for the differences in operations in the two areas?
KAT will use average operating parameters for the whole of an authority. If there is a big difference between the operating conditions across an authority (e.g. travel times, crewing levels) model the two distinct areas separately and then combine the results. See User Guide F (104 kb) for more information.
There are more than two kerbside recycling collections. How do I model them all in one KAT?
Each KAT is limited to two kerbside recycling collections. KAT will need to be run again to model additional collections and then the results combined. See User Guide G (102 kb) for more information.
The projected refuse is wrong when I am modelling a co-collection of refuse and recycling/composting and an additional composting/dry recycling service.
The co-collection with refuse must be in Collection B if there is more than one collection because refuse is calculated as total waste minus recyclables. All the recyclables from Collection A must be deducted from the remaining refuse to determine how much material is left for Collection B.
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