Designing an agricultural waste collection and transport network based on robust optimization

During the early periods of civilization, solid waste was conveniently collected transported and disposed because of the low number of population. However, waste generation is expected to increase becasue of rapid population growth and consequently shows an increase in solid waste collection, transportation, and disposal. Waste transportation planning is a difficult task due to the issues of the increasing numbers of garbage vehicles and the fluctuation of fuel prices as well as the cost-effectiveness and health and environmental impacts. An unsustainable waste collection and transportation is heading towards a variety of indirect human health impacts. Accordingly, the vehicle routing problem (VRP) plays a significant role in the field of waste collection and transportation system. This study compares three different Life Cycle Assessment (LCA approaches for the waste transport in Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand. The three scenarios are modelled using GaBi 7 software tool and results are presented based on the CML 2001. The assessment outcomes indicated that the routing optimization with diesel and electric garbage trucks could significantly reduce the GWP impact by 8.51% and 66.44% compared to the baseline scenario, respectively.

This paper seeks to describe the overall state of Rural Solid Waste Management (RSWM) in China in three main areas: waste collection services, waste transportation services and waste disposal services. Given China’s urbanization, industrialization, and the subsequent improvement of household living standards, the amount of solid waste generated in rural China has increased rapidly. Based on primary data collected in 2016 from 100 villages across five provinces in China, we find that the proportion of villages with waste collection, waste transportation, and waste disposal services in 2015 is 80%, 55% and 22%, respectively. The differences in shares of villages with these services across provinces are statistically significant. Using descriptive and econometric analyses, the authors show that richer villages are more likely to provide rural solid waste (RSW) collection and transportation services. Villages with new (newly elected or appointed) village leaders are more likely to supply RSW disposal services. While the majority of villages report that they offer waste collection services (installing waste collection facilities and employing waste collection workers), the vast majority of villages do not transport their waste to treatment plants. Even fewer villages report using centralized disposal methods to dispose of waste, as required by law or regulation. This study represents the first effort to describe the state and determinants of waste management services in rural China in the wake of increased investment in and new policies regarding RSWM released in 2015. Additionally, we provide evidence-based suggestions that might be useful for policy makers interested in improving RSWM in China. These suggestions include increasing investments in waste collection facilities and worker services; encouraging local residents to classify and recycle waste; designing optimal waste transportation networks and routes; and improving on-site waste disposal technology.

Estimating emissions from household organic waste collection and transportation: The case of Sydney and surrounding areas, Australia

Chapter 23 - Challenges and innovations of transportation and collection of waste

Optimization of municipal solid waste collection and transportation routes

Economic models and applications of solid waste management

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the major problems faced by many countries in the world. The functional element of solid waste collection process includes not only the gathering of waste from the source, but also the transportation of these waste to common collection sites. It has been estimated that about 60–80% money spent for only the collection, and transportation of solid waste to the total amount is spent on the SWM system. An effective municipal solid waste management system is composed of optimized routes, systematic collection, transport, and transfer of wastes. The geographical information system (GIS) can be effectively applied for cost minimization and maximization of waste collection and transportation efficiencies in any area. The route optimization depends on many factors, including the location of waste bins, collection details, types of vehicle, travel impedances, and integrity of road network. In this study, to design better travel routes in city for enhance efficiency by GIS to develop model for collection and transportation of waste using Esri’s ArcGIS 3.2, Network Analyst software. The ArcGIS is used to determine optimal zones and optimal routes for each zone. In addition, a simple optimal routing model is proposed to achieve the minimum transportation cost, distance, time, and number of vehicles. The developed model may be utilized by MSW management agencies for optimized waste collection and transportation activities.

Municipal solid waste includes various types of complex waste predominantly from the residential, commercial, institution, and industrial collections. Waste collection and transport operation has now become a primary challenge requiring a regular response from the waste service provider. Transfer stations usually act as spaces for the waste collector to discharge their load before reloading it into a large vehicle for long-haulage waste transportation. Besides, a transfer station also plays a critical role that directly links the waste collection stream to the waste treatment facilities or final disposal site. The main issues and challenges to strengthen the efficiency of municipal solid waste transport and transfer operation are discussed in this chapter. These elements could aid to improve the sustainable and efficient total waste management system that could induce the balances of anaesthetic and a pleasant environment.

Medan generates approximately 2,000 tons of waste daily, yet only 800 tons are successfully transported to landfills, indicating significant inefficiencies in waste transportation. This study addresses the issue by applying the Vehicle Routing Problem with Multiple Trips (VRPMT) combined with the Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize waste transport operations. The VRPMT model allows each vehicle to make multiple daily trips, enhancing fleet utilization while ensuring that all service points are visited, vehicle capacities are not exceeded, and vehicles return to the depot after each trip. The study focuses on Tegal Sari Mandala II (TSM II), Medan Denai, a densely populated neighborhood with narrow roads that require bestari pedicabs for flexible waste collection. Data includes waste collection points, vehicle capacities, transport frequencies, and operational costs. The SA algorithm begins with a random route solution, then iteratively evaluates and improves it by minimizing total distance and cost. It also avoids local optima through a controlled temperature reduction process. Results demonstrate significant improvements: total travel distance was reduced from 12,500 meters to 8,646 meters (a 30.8% reduction), and operational costs decreased from IDR 12,000 to IDR 8,946 (a 25.5% reduction). On average, each bestari pedicab completed two daily trips, maximizing capacity utilization and minimizing penalty costs. The system integrates a structured database and Google Maps API for route visualization, enhancing planning and monitoring. Overall, this approach contributes to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly waste transportation. It supports climate action goals and provides a scalable, replicable model for sustainable urban waste management in other regions facing similar logistical challenges. However, this study has some limitations. The VRPMT model was applied only in a neighborhood with a limited vehicle type, which may reduce its generalizability to broader urban areas with more complex logistics. Also, the Simulated Annealing algorithm settings were manually tuned and not benchmarked against other metaheuristic methods. Future studies could improve the model by considering dynamic traffic conditions, integrating real-time data, or testing hybrid optimization approaches to enhance its effectiveness and adaptability.

As of today, problem of the solid municipal waste (hereinafter to be referred to as the SMW) is the topical problem for any country of the world. Volumes of the accumulated waste increase from year to year, while problem of their utilisation requires taking decisive actions today already. Overfilling of trash containers, delayed removal of domestic waste, and the absence of possibility to sort solid municipal waste are often observed in various inhabited localities. These facts cause disruption of the aesthetical and ecological components of the living environment of population. The above-listed factors are consequences of the improper and inefficient logistic system of handling of the solid municipal waste both within an inhabited locality and within the entire country. Therefore, there exists necessity in development of the efficient transport logistic system of handling of the solid municipal waste. Goal of this article is to develop the efficient logistic system of handling of the solid municipal waste through development of the relevant models and algorithms of transportation of waste from the places of their generation to the places of their utilisation and recycling. Results of the performed investigation are as follows: main directions, strategies, and mechanisms have been analysed in order to ensure solving the problems, which are connected with the solid municipal waste, with the waste transportation and utilisation; model of the logistic system for the waste handling was developed in general form; comprehensive model of the processes for development of the efficient logistic system for collection and transportation of waste to the places of its utilisation and recycling was formulated; mathematical description of this model with the help of the theory of sets was made; algorithm for selection of the optimal carrier of the solid municipal waste on the basis of the multi-criteria analysis and expert appraisal was developed. Practical significance of results of this investigation is in the developed algorithm, which ensures selection of the optimal carrier of the SMW. In accordance with this algorithm, any local authority of a city or any inhabited locality has possibility to analyse the existing SMW carriers and select the best organisation, which proposes the required package of the relevant infrastructure and the required services.

Improvement and modification of the routing system for the health-care waste collection and transportation in İstanbul

A comprehensive study on solid waste vehicle routing and tracking — a case study on Kolkata city

This international Oil and Gas company teamed with a specialised water management company and an Omani civil engineering contractor to develop, quite literally, a ground-breaking solution to the problem of dealing with sewage at their drilling and well testing base in the Omani Empty Quarter Desert. The Reed Bed sewage treatment facility uses natural processes to treat sewage effluent of around 300 staff and contractors living at the concession central camp. This in-situ treatment of sewage waste reduces environmental impacts of transportation and collection of waste, risks associated with spillage, and the transfer of responsibility to others. Avoiding a mechanical on-site sewage treatment plant or the transportation of the waste by tanker to faraway facilities from the site resulted in substantial cost savings. Environmental and operating cost benefits are matched by health and safety gains of avoiding the risks associated with long-distance driving. The lush green patch is becoming a refuge for insects and migratory birds. It is also very popular with local employees providing a welcome change from the yellow desert sea. The innovative approach was acknowledged in various media streams in Oman including interviews on major local newspapers. The project was also highly commended in the company's Chief Executive Innovation Awards competition.

The analysis of Waste Transportion Performance in Zone III of Banda Aceh managed to evaluate the waste transport system related to the pattern of waste collection and transportation, the frequency of transportation and the number of waste transport vehicles in zone III, so optimization can be done. Primary data is obtained by observing the process of transporting waste directly in the field and interviewing the parties that involved. Observations were made on each vehicle that carrying waste twice a day (morning and afternoon/night). The vehicles that will be observed consists of 11 dumptrucks, 1 compactor truck, 2 armrolltruck, so the number of observations is 14 days. The application of the pattern of waste collection with the door to door system in some zone III does not match the standards set. The amount of trip for dumptruck can be increased to 3 trips/day, 4 trip/day for compactors truck and 11 trips/day for armroll trucks. Better waste disposal can save dumptruck transportation time 2.18 hours/day or 27.26% and increase ritation to 3 trips/day. The addition of transport trips increases the potential amount of waste transportation up to 59.17% from 48.10 tons/day to 76.56 tons/day. The needs for waste transportation based on the calculation results can be optimized to 10 units, while currently used is 14 units. Inadequate of work equipment, there is no special training for workers and a lack of public awareness in properly disposing waste can be a barrier in waste transportation services.

Logistics planning under uncertainty for disposition of radioactive wastes