Landfill Site Selection for Medical Waste Using an Integrated SWARA-WASPAS Framework Based on Spherical Fuzzy Set

Saeid Jafarzadeh Ghoushchi,Ali Memarpour Ghiaci,Shabnam Rahnamay Bonab,Hana Tomaskova,Gholamreza Haseli,Mostafa Hajiaghaei-Keshteli

doi:10.3390/su132413950

Abstract

Selecting suitable locations for the disposal of medical waste is a serious matter. This study aims to propose a novel approach to selecting the optimal landfill for medical waste using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. For better considerations of the uncertainty in choosing the optimal landfill, the MCDM methods are extended by spherical fuzzy sets (SFS). The identified criteria affecting the selection of the optimal location for landfilling medical waste include three categories; environmental, economic, and social. Moreover, the weights of the 13 criteria were computed by Spherical Fuzzy Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SFSWARA). In the next step, the alternatives were analyzed and ranked using Spherical Fuzzy Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (SFWASPAS). Finally, in order to show the accuracy and validity of the results, the proposed approach was compared with the IF-SWARA-WASPAS method. Examination of the results showed that in the IF environment the ranking is not complete, and the results of the proposed method are more reliable. Furthermore, ten scenarios were created by changing the weight of the criteria, and the results were compared with the proposed method. The overall results were similar to the SF-SWARA-WASPAS method.

Highlights

With the growth of population, waste generation in various types has increased a lot, all because of the actions of human beings, changes that are related to their patterns of utilization [1]
The important purpose of this study is to introduce a novel solution for selecting a suitable site for landfilling medical waste using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods in an environment of uncertainty
The importance of waste disposal to control its adverse effects on the environment has increased, and among waste disposal methods, landfilling is one of the best methods, and in this regard, choosing a suitable place for burying medical waste is an important process

Summary

Introduction

With the growth of population, waste generation in various types has increased a lot, all because of the actions of human beings, changes that are related to their patterns of utilization [1]. The quick increase in world population, urbanization, high consumption of materials in developing countries, increasing product complexity, use of substances that may cause environmental problems in the production of consumer goods, lifestyle, income level, and people’s behaviors require a waste management system [2]. Lesions contaminated with blood or body fluids, tissues, patient organs, and sharp objects utilized during treatment are considered medical waste [3]. Clinics, and health care settings or environments contaminated with patient secretions, bodily fluids, such as blood, sputum, saliva, and urine, are considered medical waste. Concerns about the potential health risks of medical waste in the United States were first discussed in the

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Results

Conclusion