Solid waste dumping site selection using GIS-based multi-criteria spatial modeling: a case study in Logia town, Afar region, Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Several, countries are struggling to establish proper waste management systems in the context of increasing population and urbanization. Urban solid waste management system needs solid waste management technique, where presence of a sanitary landfill is vital. One of the most important issues of sanitary landfill is to identify suitable locations. The main objective of the present study was to identify suitable solid waste disposal sites that are economically feasible, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable in Logia town, Ethiopia, applying Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System techniques. The present study was based on thematic maps such as groundwater well points, slope, fault, built-up area, road network, river, land-use/land-cover, geology and soil map. Analytical Hierarchy Process pair-wise comparison model was used to accomplish weights of factor parameters. Suitability map was prepared by overlay analyses and assigned as highly suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable and unsuitable. Results show that 5.93% of the study area is highly suitable, 6.5% is suitable, 3.23% is moderately suitable, 1.02% is less suitable and 83.32% is unsuitable for solid waste dumping in Logia town. Field observations also confirmed suitability of the selected sites, and hence this method can be used in urban areas for waste dumping site selection procedure. Selected sites are considered to be suitable for landfill to minimize environmental risk and human health problems.