Optimizing waste management strategies through artificial intelligence and machine learning - An economic and environmental impact study

Abstract

Applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to optimize waste management strategies, focusing on enhancing economic efficiency and reducing environmental impact, is vital. The study utilized ML models to analyze and forecast waste generation trends, assess the viability of various waste management methods, and develop optimization models for resource allocation and operational efficiency. The research employs the World Bank’s comprehensive waste management dataset. After rigorous data preprocessing, including cleaning and feature selection, a variety of ML techniques, such as regression models, classification algorithms like Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and optimization algorithms, including linear programming, are applied. Unlike other research, this study achieved 85 % accuracy on predictive analytics models for forecasting waste generation trends, primarily attributed to integrating more diverse data sets, including socio-economic factors. Also, the optimization resource allocation achieved a 15 % increase in operational efficiency. These findings provide significant insights for policymakers and urban planners, suggesting that integrating ML in waste management can lead to more sustainable and cost-effective practices. This paper demonstrates the transformative potential of ML in optimizing waste management strategies, offering a pathway towards more sustainable and economically viable waste management solutions globally.