A comprehensive optimization model for integrated solid waste management system: A case study

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the poorly rendered services in developing countries – limited resources, increasing population, rapid urbanization and application of outdated systems leads to inefficiency. Lack of proper planning and inadequate data regarding solid waste generation and collection compound the SWM problem. Decision makers need to formulate solutions that consider multiple goals and strategies. Given the large number of available options for SWM and the inter-relationships among these options, identifying SWM strategies that satisfy economic or environmental objectives is a complex task. The paper develops a mathematical model for a municipal Integrated SWM system, taking into account waste generation rates, composition, transportation modes, processing techniques, revenues from waste processing, simulating waste management as closely as possible. The constraints include those linking waste flows and mass balance, processing plants capacity, landfill capacity, transport vehicle capacity and number of trips. The linear programming model integrating different functional elements was solved by LINGO optimization software and various possible waste management options were considered during analysis. The model thus serves as decision support tool to evaluate various waste management alternatives and obtain the least-cost combination of technologies for handling, treatment and disposal of solid waste. KCI Citation Count: 0