Mathematical modeling in municipal solid waste management: case study of Tehran.

Mohsen Akbarpour Shirazi,Babak Omidvar,Mohammad Ali Abduli,Reza Samieifard

doi:10.1186/s40201-016-0250-2

Abstract

BackgroundSolid Waste Management (SWM) in metropolises with systematic methods and following environmental issues, is one of the most important subjects in the area of urban management. In this regard, it is regarded as a legal entity so that its activities are not overshadowed by other urban activities. In this paper, a linear mathematical programming model has been designed for integrated SWM. Using Lingo software and required data from Tehran, the proposed model has been applied for Tehran SWM system as a case study.ResultsTo determine the optimal status of the available system for Tehran’s Solid Waste Management System (SWMS), a novel linear programming model is applied. Tehran has 22 municipal regions with 11 transfer stations and 10 processing units. By running of the model, the transfer stations and processing units are decreased to 10 and 6 units, respectively.ConclusionsThe proposed model is an alternative method for improvement the SWMS by decreasing the transfer stations and processing units.

Highlights

Solid Waste Management (SWM) in metropolises with systematic methods and following environmental issues, is one of the most important subjects in the area of urban management
The results showed that the chemical characteristics should be considered for thermal conversion process of Chinese SWM
This paper describes the results obtained from a municipal solid waste management planning [16]

Summary

Background

Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a set of consistent and systematic regulations related to control generation, storage, collection, transportation, processing and landfilling of wastes according to the best public health principles, economy, preservation of resources, aesthetics, other environmental requirements and what the public attends to [1]. For environmentally-friendly SWM systems, a serious decision-making process and adjustment of operational activities are required They suggested that the new frameworks should be framed on the properly design integrated solid waste management system with high recovery rates cost-effectiveness, and other environmental impacts. Municipal SWM is a complex process that includes several environmental, social, and economic criteria [15] It includes decision-making in solid waste management problems such as finding suitable sites for solid waste disposal or strategies commonly requiring various stakeholders such as governments, municipalities, industries, experts, and even the public. This paper has investigated different components of SWM using analysis method of the flow of materials together with the results of the evaluation studies of the integrated solid waste management cycle. A mathematic model was used to optimize the current system of SWM in Tehran and identify the number of proper sites for transferring and processing of waste

Methods

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Results and discussion

Conclusion