Abstract
Landfills are one of the most common ways of waste disposal. Selecting a landfill site is a complicated and long process that involves a legal framework as well as environmental, economic and social parameters aimed at reducing a negative environmental impact. The landfill site selection in the municipality of Nevesinje (Republic of Srpska), dealt with in this paper, was performed using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and GIS technology. Eight criteria were analyzed: geology, distance from settlements, distance from road networks, distance from water bodies, vegetation, slope, elevation and aspect. Relative weighting factors for each criterion were defined by applying the AHP and their linear combinations, with the range of each cell determined by the suitability index. The suitability index has been reclassified in five classes where 67% of the territory belongs to the restricted area, 11% of the territory has low suitability, 6.1% has moderate suitability, 5.9% high suitability, and 10% very high suitability. Two potential landfill sites are proposed, but before a final decision is made, it is necessary to analyze additional parameters.
Highlights
A lack of land for waste disposal, inadequate landfill sites and rapid population growth are some of the biggest problems of urban areas in the world
According to the Law on Waste Management of the Republic of Srpska (RS), a landfill is a site for waste disposal on the surface or below the surface where waste is disposed of, and that includes: internal storage areas, and a permanent site which is used for temporary storage of waste (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska, 28/1994)
The integration of GIS technology and the multi-criteria analysis is a powerful tool for the selection of a landfill site, because GIS enables an efficient manipulation and presentation of spatial data and the MCDA consistently ranks potential sites based on different criteria (Kontos, et al, 2005, pp.818-832) and (Sener, et al, 2006, pp.376-388)
Summary
A lack of land for waste disposal, inadequate landfill sites and rapid population growth are some of the biggest problems of urban areas in the world. Siddiqui, et al (1996, pp.515-523) applied the combination of GIS and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). In (Chang, et al, 2008, pp.139-153) GIS and the fuzzy MCDA are integrated for a choice of locations in suburban areas, Tayyeb, et al (2010, pp.1073-1078) uses the MCDA and the analytic network process (ANP). Sener, et al (2006, pp.376388) uses a combination of the AHP and linear combinations of weight, whereas (Akbari, 2008, pp.39-47) applied a combination of GIS, the Fuzzy multi-criteria analysis and the System Supporting Spatial Decision-making (SDSS). It is very important to consider natural, social, political, economic and technical factors; a choice must be made by a multidisciplinary team of experts
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