A fuzzy optimization model for methane gas production from municipal solid waste

Background, Aim and Scope. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management system has an important role to reduce final disposal of MSW. Recently prevention of global warming in MSW transportation and treatment processes is also coming into important. Decision makers in local region should design the MSW management system that solves above issues, and is desirable for the region in cost constraint. But there are few studies taking into account regional MSW discharge and waste treatment properties and their perspective. In this study, we proposed a methodology to design environmentally and economically desirable MSW management systems in local region by applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and cost analysis.Materials and Methods. The central region of Iwate Prefecture was chosen as a case study. Firstly, we surveyed material and energy inputs/outputs in MSW transportation and treatment processes in the case study area. Then, Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data of each process was calculated. Secondarily, scenarios involving several MSW management systems considering patterns of MSW treatment technologies and/or MSW segregation were designed. Results and Discussion. As a scenario analysis, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, SOx/NOx emissions, final disposal and the cost was calculated when each scenario would be for the period from FY2005 to FY2030. From the results, we found that the MSW treatment system in which municipalities form communal MSW treatment mostly has an advantage than the municipality-based MSW treatment system in which municipalities treat MSW by themselves. We also found the trade-off relationship in the results; a system giving priority to gasification and melting facilities decreases the amount of final disposal and cost and increases GHG emissions, while another system giving priority to stoker type grate facility decreases GHG emissions and cost and increases the amount of final disposal. However this trade-off relationship is solved by enhancing waste segregation and/or bio-methanation of kitchen garbage. Additionally, we calculated the indicator value of environmental impact by the Distance-to-target method, and we evaluated a relationship between the indicator value and the cost. As the result, scenario involving the region-based MSW treatment system with bio-methanation is selected as a desirable MSW management system if reduction of final disposal is prioritize as the MSW treatment policy. Conclusions. In the actual fields, it is required not only quantatative evaluation environmental impact and cost but also qualitative investigation such as site selection of waste treatment facilities considering NIMBY phenomenon. Nonetheless, the methodology proposed in this paper is effective for local municipalities’ decision support.

Social-economic assessment of integrated waste pickers in municipal solid waste management system: A case of Tianjin in China

The problem of efficient management of municipal solid waste (MSW) flows remains one of the most urgent environmental and socio-economic problems of the Ukrainian regions. Ineffective MSW management leads to a significant negative impact on the abiogenic and biogenic components of the environment, as well as on the Ukrainian regions' citizens' state of health. Each individual region has its specific situation that should be taken into consideration for the development and implementation of regional plans for MSW management. Usually most of these regional plans are limited by such factors as determination of the volume of generated MSW, inventory of landfills, calculation of the required number of containers and technical means, justified expediency of MSW sorting stations placement, new MSW landfills construction etc. However, little attention is paid to introduction of innovative approaches for development of an effective MSW management system. There is no systematic approach to solving the MSW-related problem and all efforts aim at eliminating the consequences, rather than changing the ultimate cause. The aim of the research is to assess the prerequisites for the formation and implementation of a MSW management plan in Odesa Region from a systematic approach perspective. The methodological basis of the research includes analysis of the existing regulatory and legislative framework in the area of regional MSW management. The work is based on the relevant published data, materials of the Draft Regional Waste Management Plan in Odesa Region by 2030, as well as the results of our own research activities. The regional MSW management plan can be implemented at the following main areas: introduction of a MSW management system in big cities (separation of easily-decomposed organic fraction and hazardous waste, creation of recycling centre and stations etc.); landfill activities (construction of waste sorting plant, construction of biochemical processing/composting facilities, biogas production); development of logistics services (transition to small garbage trucks: separate vehicles for individual MSW components or vehicles with separate sections without waste precompaction); training of qualified personnel, educational work with great masses of population. Consideration of these prerequisites during the formation and implementation of a MSW management plan in Odesa Region will help to increase the environmental safety of the population, reduce the negative impact on the environment through improvement and modernization of the existing MSW management system and achievement of the final "zero waste" condition after conversion of the maximum waste amount into liquid secondary raw materials, alternative energy source and environmentally friendly organic mineral fertilizer. The implementation of the conceptual and theoretical foundations for formation of an optimized MSW management system will contribute to the achievement of the goals of sustainable development set by Odesa Region.

Evaluation of the municipal solid waste (MSW) management system seems necessary to promote urban services. The present study is aimed to identify and prioritize the problems and deficiencies of MSW management in Iran. This study has used a mixed-methods (Scoping review and Delphi technique) approach to achieve its goals. The results obtained by the scoping review showed that the average rate of Iran’s MSW generation in the last decade (2009–2019) was 0.745 kg/capita/day. The average of MSW composition was estimated to include: organic material (68.42%), paper and cardboard (7.31%), plastic (9.80%), pet (0.99%), metal (1.59%), rubber (1.09%), textile (3.02%), glass (2.33%), wood (0.97%), and others (4.48%). Also a scoping review of the current status of Iran’s MSW management showed that at present, Iran’s MSW management has both some strengths (such as collecting more than 90% of the total generated MSW) and lot of weaknesses such as lack of a systematic program for MSW reduction, weakness in source separation, low processing and recycling, unsanitary disposal of MSW, etc. According to the results of the Delphi technique, Iran’s main MSW management problems are: disregarding the investment for culturalization in the field of SWM and low effectiveness of the existing educational methods, disregarding the principles of integrated solid waste management hierarchy, imbalance in cost-efficiency in MSW systems, the existence of major deficits and weaknesses in recruitment and selection of staffs and the existence of additional non-expert human resources, lack of incongruity between the non-standard solid waste disposal crimes and their penalties, lack of executive guarantees for the proper implementation of the existing regulations, poor performance of the responsible organizations in the field of public education, as well as lack of effective cooperation among the responsible bodies in this field. Overall, consideration and elimination of priority problems and reinforcement the strengths of Iran’s MSW management system can be effective in improving the performance of this system.

A strategic review on Municipal Solid Waste (living solid waste) management system focusing on policies, selection criteria and techniques for waste-to-value

A multi-objective location-allocation optimization for sustainable management of municipal solid waste

A multi-objective robust optimization model for site-selection and capacity allocation of municipal solid waste facilities: A case study in Tehran

Every year, religious events (REs) attended by millions of pilgrims, take place in different holy cities around the world. However, research on municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is limited despite the reputation of REs to generate large amounts of municipal solid waste (MSW), which negatively influences the environment and human health when poorly managed. The Arba’een is one of the largest REs in Iraq and worldwide that attracts more than 11 million pilgrims annually. A large quantity of MSW is produced during this event, which is poorly managed and disposed of in a dumpsite without any treatment, due to the lack of research and data about MSW generated during such events. Thus, this research aims to address part of this gap and contribute to new knowledge on MSWM at REs by studying the MSWM system applied at the Arba’een, a subject that has never been considered before. This study adopts mixed methods research approach, employing composition analysis for MSW, questionnaire surveys and interviews with the stakeholders (hoteliers, camp owners, pilgrims and MSWM authorities) and on-site observations as key methods for generation of data. The MSWM system was assessed based on the opinion of the key stakeholders and the Wasteaware benchmark indicators formwork. Numerical models were built to estimate the quantities of MSW produced by pilgrims’ accommodation (hotels and camps) based on the characteristics of the accommodation (capacity, area etc.). MSWM services users’ (hoteliers, camp owners and pilgrims) intention to participate in a recycling scheme and the variables influence this intention were studied with a view of investigating the possibility of introducing a recycling scheme at REs. The results showed that REs account for 14% of the city’s MSW and its main components were organic (57.9%), paper (14.9%) and plastic (14.6%). The MSWM system suffers from operational and governance weaknesses; the key weaknesses are lack of controlled disposal facility, absence of a formal recycling scheme, deficit of key waste-related data, poor public involvement, inadequate planning, and funding limitations. Statistical analyses showed that average municipal solid waste generation (MSWG) from hotels and camps were 112 and 413kg.day-1, respectively. Hotels’ MSWG is influenced by their capacity, staff size and expenditure while camps’ capacity, expenditure and food services affect its MSWG. MSWG from hotels and camps can be modelled with a coefficient of determination of about 0.80. In addition, more than 65% of MSWM system users are willing to participate in MSW recycling during REs and it is expected that about one third would perform recycling; this indicates that introducing MSW recycling during REs could be successful.

Optimization of municipal solid waste collection and transportation routes

Economic models and applications of solid waste management

A multi-objective model to optimize country-scale municipal solid waste management with economic and environmental objectives: A case study in Malaysia

Purpose This study aims to explore how digital platforms (DPs) contribute to value co-creation in municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems. Design/methodology/approach The present paper conducts an explorative analysis using single case study methodology. The case in question involves a DPs operating in Italy. Findings Empirical analysis shows that DPs help engage citizens in MSW and reduce the fragmentation in waste management systems by fulfilling a brokerage role that connects citizens, municipalities and waste management companies. The development of bidirectional knowledge and resource flow among actors contributes to better waste recycling processes, as well as fosters economic, environmental and social value co-creation in a complex public service. Research limitations/implications This research is limited to a single case study within the Italian context, which may influence the generalizability of the findings. Future research could expand the scope to include multiple case studies across different geographical regions. Practical implications For practitioners and policymakers, this paper underscores the strategic benefits of adopting DPs in MSW management systems and thereby improving public service delivery. Social implications The case analysis highlights that DPs can assist public actors in achieving numerous sustainable development goals by enhancing recycling rates and activating learning mechanisms among citizens. Originality/value This study contributes to literature by connecting different fields of research (i.e. waste management and public management) and using network theory to show how DPs can contribute to the economic, environmental and social sustainability of MSW while generating relevant benefits for the actors involved.

Life cycle assessments of municipal solid waste management systems: A comparative analysis of selected peer-reviewed literature

Life cycle assessment of the existing and proposed municipal solid waste management system in Moscow, Russia

Municipal solid waste management with cost minimization and emission control objectives: A case study of Ankara