This paper studied solid waste components in six districts of Hatay (Iskenderun, Dortyol, Payas, Erzin, Belen, and Arsuz) for the period 2015 until 2018. Solid wastes were categorized, and the relationship between the population and the waste categories were determined using Pearson’s correlation test. It was mainly categorized using The Standard Method of Determination of Compositions of Unprocessed Urban Wastes by ASTM D5231-92 into 11 categories. Solid waste in the study area consist of food waste (63%), paper (6%), plastic (9%), glass (3%), metal (1%), composite waste (1%), electric–electronic waste (0%), hazardous waste (0%), garden waste (3%), incombustible waste (5%) and combustible waste (9%). Food waste showed strong negative correlation with population (r = − 0.875, p < 0.05), while plastic(r = 0.888, p < 0.05), glass(r = 0.813, p < 0.05) and composite waste (r = 0.890, p < 0.05) showed strong positive correlation. The other categories showed weak or moderate correlation. The socio-economic factor effects were studied in each district. Food waste showed strong negative correlation with the income level (r = − 0.72, p < 0.01). Paper and plastic waste were positively correlated to the income level with the maximum correlation of (r = 0.871, p < 0.01) and (r = 0.843, p < 0.01), respectively. The seasonal variation effect also had been considered in the study. It was concluded that the food portion in the winter season was higher than summer in Belen and Payas, and this could be attributed to the internal migration. Finally, a cost analysis of the recycling aspect for the categories of paper, plastic, glass, and metal (PPGM) was assessed. The result of the cost analysis reflected the effect of inflation on the recycling market. It showed that even though the maximum PPGM generation was estimated in 2018 with value of 15994.66 kg/day, the maximum daily income was recorded in 2017 with a value of 3256.37 $/day.