Expert-Based Method of Integrated Waste Management Systems for Developing Fuzzy Cognitive Map

Sustainable waste management systems necessarily include many interacting factors. Due to the complexity and uncertainties occurring in sustainable waste management systems, we propose the use of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) and Bacterial Evolutionary Algorithm (BEA) [1] to support the planning and decision making process of integrated systems, as the combination of methods FCM and BEA seems to be suitable to model such complex mechanisms as Integrated Waste Management Systems (IWMS). This paper is an attempt to assess the sustainability of the IWMS in a holistic approach. While the FCM model represents the IWMS as a whole, the BEA is used for parameter optimization and identification. An interpretation of the results obtained by the FCM for the actual regional IWMS is also presented. We have obtained some surprising results, contradicting the general assumptions in the literature concerning the relative importance of constituting components in waste management systems.

Integrated Waste Management Systems (IWMS) are very complex systems with a lot of uncertainty. These can be defined as the selection and application of suitable techniques, technologies and management programs to achieve waste management objectives and goals. In order to support the decision making process in waste management we propose the use of Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) and Bacterial Evolutionary Algorithm (BEA) methods since the combination of the FCM and BEA seem to be suitable to model complex mechanisms such as IWMS. While the FCM is formed for a chosen system by determining the concepts and their relationships, it is possible to quantitatively simulate the system considering its parameters. However, if the time series of the factors of the system are known, then the connection matrix of FCM, thus the causal relations among the parameters can be determined by optimization. This way a more objective description of IWMS can be given.

Life Cycle Inventory Tools: Supporting the Development of Sustainable Solid Waste Management Systems

Residents’ waste management practices in a developing country: A social practice theory analysis

This paper outline how Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) can be applied as a tool in integrated waste management systems. FCM is a soft systems methodology for exploiting and analyzing human perceptions of a given system. During the research, the driving forces and impacts in the changes of waste management systems have been analyzed. Several types of FCM are known, and the authors' intention was to apply the FCM type III to describe the causality relations among the factors of the integrated waste management systems (IWMS).

The present study was developed to comprehensively analyze experts' views and content of documents focusing on goals and criteria of sustainable waste management system in Tehran, Iran. To this end, the suitable goals for sustainable waste management system in Tehran city were adopted from domestic, national and international documents. For this purpose, 27 national and international documents and 2 domestic documents related to waste management were selected and analyzed by using content analysis according to Gall, 1994. Further, in order to formulate goals in case of bottlenecks and challenges of waste management in Tehran, the focus group technique was used based on Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014. At this stage, 24 key experts in the field of waste management were interviewed in the form of 4 focus groups. Data collection were performed via audio recording and word-for-word implementation of conversations, taking notes and writing field notes. The data collection continued until reaching theoretical saturation. Next, content analysis and coding methods were used to analyze the data. Finally, the goals of waste management were divided into five general categories including: institutional (with emphasis on the integration and inclusion of the key elements of the urban waste management system), technical and infrastructural (with emphasis on the optimization of existing processes in the use of urban waste management technologies), environmental (with emphasis on minimizing the adverse health and environmental effects of the urban waste management system, economic (with emphasis on the economic and financial sustainability of the urban waste management system), and cultural-social (with emphasis on attracting the maximum participation of citizens and service recipients). The results clearly showed that sustainable waste management measures in Tehran should follow these five components in order to reduce the problems caused by unrealistic waste management and make sustainable use of basic, natural, financial and human resources.

Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) are a very convenient and simple tool for modeling complex systems. They are popular due to their simplicity and user friendliness. However, according to [1], human experts are subjective and can handle only relatively simple networks therefore there is an urgent need to develop methods for automated generation of FCM models. The present research deals with the methodology of FCMs in combination with the Bacterial Evolutionary Algorithm (BEA). The method of FCMs using BEA seems to be suitable to model such complex mechanisms as integrated municipal waste management (IMWM) systems. This paper is an attempt to assess the sustainability of the IMWM system by investigating the FCM methodology based on the BEA with a holistic approach. As a result, the best scenario to an IMWM system can be assigned.

Since independence, Botswana has promulgated environmental policies and legislation to protect the environment and reduce public health impacts. While the Botswana Waste Management Strategy and Waste Management Act were introduced in 1998, municipal solid waste management (MSWM) still remains a major challenge in Botswana. Thus, to understand the status of implementation of municipal solid waste management policy, the study employed a qualitative approach for data collection using a narrative review of literature, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The study aimed at highlighting the policy gaps with respect to municipal solid waste management, point out the challenges and provide alternative solutions. The results suggest numerous inadequacies in the implementation of policy related to municipal solid waste management including lack of approaches to policy support, weak institutional influences and lack financial support. The application of a sustainable and integrated waste management system is also limited. This study offers important information that could be helpful to decision-makers and policymakers in the sector to improve the efficiency of the municipal solid waste management system.

From public to private solid waste management: Stakeholders’ perspectives on private-public solid waste management in Lobatse, Botswana

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management represents a major expenditure for third world countries, and could be very challenging as it results in environmental impacts including pollution of water resources. The major expenditure of the municipal solid waste management is attributed to overlooking revenues generated from waste. Due to the uncertainties of data, the value of the recyclables is overlooked. Therefore, a key in the development of an effective and sustainable waste management system is having reliable information and a clear characterisation of the municipal waste generated from the community being studied. Hence, this paper presents a waste audit to characterise household waste and more importantly estimate revenues generated from recyclables. The focus was on household waste generated from high income districts. The study found that there was a surplus resulting from the difference between the revenue of recyclables and the cost of its management. This surplus could be used to fund the deficit in waste management system in other lower income districts.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management represents a major expenditure for third world countries, and could be very challenging as it results in environmental impacts including pollution of water resources. The major expenditure of the municipal solid waste management is attributed to overlooking revenues generated from waste. Due to the uncertainties of data, the value of the recyclables is overlooked. Therefore, a key in the development of an effective and sustainable waste management system is having reliable information and a clear characterisation of the municipal waste generated from the community being studied. Hence, this paper presents a waste audit to characterise household waste and more importantly estimate revenues generated from recyclables. The focus was on household waste generated from high income districts. The study found that there was a surplus resulting from the difference between the revenue of recyclables and the cost of its management. This surplus could be used to fund the deficit in waste management system in other lower income districts.

Effective waste management practices are not all about legislative solutions, but a combination of the environmental, social, technical, technically skilled human resources, financial and technological resources, resource recycling, environmental pollution awareness programmes and public participation. As a result of insufficient resources, municipal solid waste (MSW) in transition and developing countries like Botswana remains a challenge, and it is often not yet given highest priority. In Botswana, the environment, public health and other socio-economic aspects are threatened by waste management practices due to inadequate implementation and enforcement mechanisms of waste management policy. This mini-review paper describes the panorama of waste management practices in Botswana and provides information to competent authorities responsible for waste management and to researchers to develop and implement an effective waste management system. Waste management practices in Botswana are affected by: lack of effective implementation of national waste policy, fragmented tasks and overlapping mandates among relevant institutions; lack of clear guidelines on the responsibilities of the generators and public authorities and on the associated economic incentives; and lack of consistent and comprehensive solid waste management policies; lack of intent by decision-makers to prepare national waste management plans and systems, and design and implement an integrated sustainable municipal solid waste management system. Due to these challenges, there are concerns over the growing trend of the illegal dumping of waste, creating mini dumping sites all over the country, and such actions jeopardize the efforts of lobbying investors and tourism business. Recommendations for concerted efforts are made to support decision makers to re-organize a sustainable waste management system, and this paper provides a reference to other emerging economies in the region and the world.

Comparison of municipal solid waste management systems in Canada and Ghana: A case study of the cities of London, Ontario, and Kumasi, Ghana

It is widely accepted that solid waste management is a global problem. This problem is even more pronounced in developing countries such as Nigeria where solid waste management is a major concern. In recent times, however, there has been a concerted effort towards engaging members of the public in solving the waste management crisis. This effort is centred on public participation in sustainable waste management practice across the country. Nevertheless, in Abuja there seems to be low public participation in sustainable wastes and environmental management practice. This paper therefore seeks to investigate the rate of participation in sustainable waste and environmental management activities in Abuja. In order to achieve the aim of the study, the paper relied on a sample of 57 participants to obtain some primary data. The paper employed a mixed method approach with the aid of a questionnaire. The questions were designed to gather data on demographics of the participants, their awareness and attitude to sustainable waste management, the barriers preventing public participation in a sustainable solid waste management and measures that can encourage public participation in sustainable waste management in Abuja. The study revealed that increase funding, provision of recycling collection points, enforcement of laws and policies, the development of effective policies and regulatory framework amongst others are some of the measures that can encourage public participation in sustainable waste management programs in Abuja.

South Africa has a variety of regulations on the provision of solid waste management services in municipalities because of the apartheid legacy. Nonetheless, discrepancies in waste management services persist despite new laws, legislative reforms and strategies. Those who live in marginalized and impoverished communities are the most susceptible and severely affected by improper waste management. This demonstrates a lack of integrated and sustainable waste management systems. This study aims to recommend a sustainable solid waste management system in Engcobo Local Municipality. Data was gathered through focus group discussions, documents, and semi structured interviews. Findings revealed that there has been improvements in the sustainable management of solid waste. The municipality is experimenting with novel approaches to deal with the problem of solid waste, particularly in remote locations where people’s trash is difficult to pick up and collect. Through the focus group discussions, it was shown that some participants still need more information on waste management, there is a need for thorough educational initiatives on sanitation management, not particularly wastewater and sanitation.