Multi-criteria decision analysis to mitigate the impact of municipal solid waste management services during floods

Abstract

The efficiency of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) services indicates the sustainability of a city. Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are defined as sustainable global agenda covering normal and disaster situations as per goal#11, to make sustainable cities and communities with holistic disaster risk management. Local governments are among the target groups to adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies. Mitigation plans are highly important, especially during crises such as flooding that have the potential to disrupt regular waste management services in cities.This study aims to identify practical approaches for impact mitigation and preparedness of MSWM services during floods. In this study, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is applied, using a panel of responsible providers and waste management and town planning specialists to assess appropriate impact mitigation alternatives. Flood impacts on MSWM in cities are classified into three situations: 1) Cannot collect waste from sources (CNC), 2) Cannot transfer waste for final disposal (CNT), and 3) Cannot collect and transfer waste for final disposal (CNC and CNT). The decision support system is designed based on the principles of sustainable development, and considers impacting criteria, namely environment, society and economic factors.The results show that modifying waste-hauling trucks is the most appropriate alternative for all situations to prepare for mitigating flood impact on MSWM services. The findings can help develop an appropriate mitigation management plan for waste management systems during floods that challenges practice to develop cities and communities sustainably and achieve the SDGs.