A fuzzy goal programming approach for the optimal planning of metropolitan solid waste management systems

Abstract

The emphasis of waste reduction and recycling requirements prior to incineration and the protection of environmental quality during waste shipping, treatment, and disposal have resulted in a set of new solid waste management goals in system planning. However, the inherent uncertainties in the perception of both priority and scale of those economic and environmental goals may generate additional difficulties in management decision making. This paper applies a fuzzy goal programming approach for the optimal planning of solid waste management systems in a metropolitan region. In particular, it demonstrates how fuzzy, or imprecise, objectives of the decision maker can be quantified through the use of specific membership functions in various types of solid waste management alternatives.