Site selection of a waste disposal facility in Kuwait, Arabian Gulf

Abstract

The study is part of a programme on solid waste management in the Shuiba Industrial Area in Kuwait. Potential landfill sites were identified and evaluated in terms of environmental, technical and socio-economic factors. Exclusion/avoidance criteria were formulated and used for a preliminary screening, which resulted in two candidate sites. A set of site selection criteria was then compiled and used in a multidisciplinary study of the candidate sites that included field investigation, soil analysis, and an assessment of groundwater, ecology and socio-economic setting. A weighting/scaling scoring system was applied to the final evaluation of the results and the selection of the most suitable site. This work also presents recommendations on operations and management of the landfill to ensure maximum protection of the environment and public health.