Efficient Municipal Solid Waste Research Articles

Solving the waste bin location problem with uncertain waste generation rate: A bi-objective robust optimization approach.

An efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) system is critical to modern cities in order to enhance sustainability and liveability of urban life. With this aim, the planning phase of the MSW system should be carefully addressed by decision makers. However, planning success is dependent on many sources of uncertainty that can affect key parameters of the system, for example, the waste generation rate in an urban area. With this in mind, this article contributes with a robust optimization model to design the network of collection points (i.e. location and storage capacity), which are the first points of contact with the MSW system. A central feature of the model is a bi-objective function that aims at simultaneously minimizing the network costs of collection points and the required collection frequency to gather the accumulated waste (as a proxy of the collection cost). The value of the model is demonstrated by comparing its solutions with those obtained from its deterministic counterpart over a set of realistic instances considering different scenarios defined by different waste generation rates. The results show that the robust model finds competitive solutions in almost all cases investigated. An additional benefit of the model is that it allows the user to explore trade-offs between the two objectives.

Optimizing routes of municipal waste collection: an application algorithm

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to formulate an algorithm designed to discern the optimal routes for efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) collection.Design/methodology/approachThe research method is simulation. The proposed algorithm combines heuristics derived from the constructive genetic algorithm (CGA) and tabu search (TS). The algorithm is applied in a municipality located at Southern Brazil, with 40,000 inhabitants, circa.FindingsThe implementation achieved a remarkable 25.44% reduction in daily mileage of the vehicles, resulting in savings of 150.80 km/month and 1,809.60 km/year. Additionally, it reduced greenhouse gas emissions (including fossil CO2, CH4, N2O, total CO2e and biogenic CO2) by an average of 26.15%. Moreover, it saved 39 min of daily working time.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should thoroughly analyze the feasibility of decision-making regarding planning, scheduling and scaling municipal services using digital technology.Practical implicationsThe municipality now has a tool to improve public management, mainly related with municipal solid waste. The municipality reduced the cost of public management of municipal solid waste, redirecting funds to other priorities, such as public health and education.Originality/valueThe study integrates MSW collection service with an online platform based on Google MapsTM. The advantages of employing geographical information systems are agility, low cost, adaptation to changes and accuracy.

Design of a robust waste recycling network integrating social and environmental pillars of sustainability

The design of an efficient Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management network can reduce the network costs, such as investment, operational and recycling costs, and improve its sustainability, from economic to environmental and social perspectives. In this paper, a multi-objective scenario-based robust stochastic optimization model for designing a sustainable MSW management network under uncertainty is proposed. The proposed model has four objectives to seek sustainability from two quantitative and qualitative aspects. Considering the dynamicity of the factors affecting an MSW management network as well as the multiplicity of sustainability perspectives, the proposed model allows, on one hand, reaching a robust solution considering the potential scenarios, and on the other hand, integrating sustainability indicators while creating a balance between the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of such indicators. Moreover, the waste treatment technologies, as the highest added-value echelon of the MSW management network, which also distinguishes the network from a generic waste recycling network, has been investigated in the model. Finally, fuel consumption, have been particularly emphasized as critical factor, highly contributing to transportation costs and Co2 emission that are decisive criteria from both economic and environmental points of view. The proposed model and solution approach are validated through a real case study.

Optimization of municipal solid waste collection routes in a Latin-American context

ABSTRACT Latin-American cities need efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) collection systems, specifically in municipalities with fast urbanization. Poor logistics in collection routes is one of the causes of inefficient MSW management. A strategy for designing the MSW collection routes, considering an environmental and economic analysis, was developed and tested in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MMA), one of the cities with the highest urban and economic development in Mexico. Life cycle assessment and costs analysis were performed to evaluate archetypal routes’ environmental and economic impact in the current MSW collection system. The assessment of the environmental impact was realized through midpoint indicators of the ReCiPe 2008 method. The mathematical model describing the collection routes was developed using actual data from the MSW collection system in MMA, optimized by the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), and solved in RStudio. This study shows a reduction of between 9 and 20% of greenhouse gas emissions and distance covered in current collection stages, respectively. The results also demonstrate the influence of road direction, collection-truck efficiency, and traffic load in different stage on the environmental and economic impacts of the collection routes. A life cycle inventory, with realistic inputs and outputs of the MSW collection system, was developed. These inventories are scarce in Mexico and Latin America; their development helps designing cleaner MSW collection systems. Implications: The optimization of urban solid waste collection systems is a strategy to reduce costs and environmental impacts, considering factors such as distance or fuel consumption. However, mathematical models within the optimization require detailed information of the road network to achieve reliable results. In this context, Latin America shows difficulties in increasing its collection systems’ efficiency due to economic constraints and limited access to information from locals governments. The use of geographic information systems has been shown to collect real data on a city’s roads. This work aims to propose a strategy for designing urban solid waste collection routes with the least environmental and economic impacts through an optimization strategy that considers the road network’s real-time data, added to an environmental analysis developed with a life cycle assessment approach. We believe that our results could help the design of urban solid waste collection systems for cities with Latin American characteristics. Additionally, an inventory of specific inputs and emissions for waste collection in this type of city will be generated, supporting future sustainable management strategies.

Challenges of Solid Waste Management and Policy Implications in the Indian Himalayan Region: A Scientific Review

According to Census of India (2011), total 377 million populations were residing in urban area which is 31% of the total population. During 1961-2011, the urban population was increased from 18 to 31.2% (Census of India, 2011b). India which is an agriculture-based economy is shifting towards service-oriented country as more of the population is shifting towards urban areas. Due to diverse geographical and climatic regions the people living here have different consumption and waste generation patterns. Towards sustainable urban development efficient municipal solid waste management is a vital constituent. Municipal solid waste management includes source segregation of waste, storage, collection, relocation, carry-age, processing, and disposal of solid waste for lessening its harmful impact on environment. Unplanned and short-term developmental plans increases industrialization and urbanization in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and have led to tons of solid waste being sent to dump-yards and remained untreated. Due to this, solid waste management is becoming challenging issue in the IHR. In this review, various challenges and issues of solid waste management and probable solutions are suggested, particularly for the IHR.

Application of a methodology to design a municipal waste pre-collection network in real scenarios.

The design of efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) pre-collection networks can contribute to the global efficiency and sustainability of the reverse logistic chain of MSW in modern cities. With this aim, in this paper a comprehensive methodology that involves making decisions in several stages, from waste fraction classification to the final optimization of waste bins' location, was applied in two real cases of the city of Bahía Blanca, Argentina. This city, does not have much available data about waste generation and, therefore, an important fieldwork had to be performed for applying this methodology, involving estimating population density per block and waste generation rate per inhabitant, identifying the location of commercial and institutional buildings and also estimating its generation rate, as well as performing a characterization of the MSW from similar studies in the literature and surveys performed to make decisions. The modelling of the urban characteristics was performed in a geographic information system. In the bins' location problem, a mixed-integer optimization model was applied, seeking to minimize the investment costs, given the maximum area available and the capacity of the bins. Different scenarios were analysed, considering different collection frequencies and the maximum distance to be travelled by the user.

A conceptual framework of internet of things for efficient municipal solid waste management and waste to energy implementation

A conceptual framework of internet of things for efficient municipal solid waste management and waste to energy implementation

A conceptual framework of internet of things for efficient municipal solid waste management and waste to energy implementation

With a population of 1.252 billion, India holds the second position in the world and is one of the fastest developing countries as well. However, like every good thing has to pay a certain cost, the country is now facing an alarming threat of health and environmental problems due to its poor waste management practices. This paper presents a theoretical framework of an integrated approach of solid waste management system in which a waste segregation layout is shown including waste to energy (WtE) application of the refused derived fuel formed in the process. Real-time monitoring of the segregation process and energy extraction process is done using internet of things (IoT) application. Segregation of waste before processing gives an efficient way of waste management and with this framework, one can easily monitor and acquire various information obtained during different stages of segregation and energy extraction process.

Identification of Risk Factors Affecting PPP Waste-to-Energy Incineration Projects in China: A Multiple Case Study

Waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration technologies are considered an effective solution for sustainable and efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in China, and the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement has been widely used to construct and operate WTE incineration projects. However, PPP WTE incineration projects in China are affected by numerous risks due to the long concession period, various participants, and other factors commonly involved in PPPs, resulting in a number of failures. In light of the pivotal role that risk identification, analysis, and response play in the successful development of PPP WTE incineration projects, this paper presents a multiple case study to identify the risk factors involved in China by drawing on experience from the real-life risk events of 35 PPP WTE incineration plants. 18 risk factors are identified; the most critical of which being public opposition risk, environmental pollution risk, government decision-making risk, a defective legal and regulatory system, and MSW supply risk. The results of the study provide a solid foundation for the future risk analysis, risk allocation, and risk response of PPP WTE incineration projects, and shed light on performance improvement of the PPP WTE incineration projects as well as the development of the PPP WTE industry in China.

Improving efficiency in the MSW collection and disposal service combining price cap and yardstick regulation: The Italian case

Municipal solid waste collection and disposal service is a key element of the European strategy aimed at moving towards a circular economy. An efficient municipal solid waste collection and disposal is closely related to both lower waste tax and higher welfare of the interested population. In Italy, the lack of a centralized regulatory framework has determined heterogeneous performances of sector operators across the country. Firstly, we estimate the productive efficiency in different optimal territorial areas and secondly we forecast the economic benefits that would arise under a new regulatory regime. Our approach combines the well-known yardstick competition and the price-cap mechanisms. Results suggest that if all territorial areas converged to the most efficient ones, a potential saving between 12% and 19% emerges, i.e., up to €2bn savings out of €10.05bn total tax revenue in 2015, the reference year.

A Review of Local Factors Affecting Solid Waste Collection in Nigeria

The knowledge of local and regional factors that affect effective solidwaste collection plays an important role in choosing appropriate technology. Wastecollection has grown to become a major challenge demanding daily response from wastemanagers and it becomes inevitable to provide stakeholders with necessary information toaid key decision-making. This paper provides a comprehensive and detailed review oflocal-based factors that affect waste collection in Nigeria. Literature study and on-siteobservation were used for getting theoretical and useful information on the collection ofwaste in the study area. The study considered various standard collection technologiesand their supporting factors in order to assess the effectiveness of existing methods. Thecurrent collection techniques existing in different parts of the country together withunique local factors for these various areas are reported. The findings in many casesreveal that the method of waste collection adopted and equipment used are faced withmany challenges. This paper revealed that there is no investment presently made on theexisting development plan to initiate a modern waste collection system. The studyrecommends a new approach that could be used by institutions and government agenciesfor efficient municipal solid waste collection to achieve sustainable and effectivesanitation which will consequently facilitate the development of an aesthetically balancedand friendly environment.

Optimal routing for efficient municipal solid waste transportation by using ArcGIS application in Chennai, India.

Worldwide, about US$410 billion is spent every year to manage four billion tonnes of municipal solid wastes (MSW). Transport cost alone constitutes more than 50% of the total expenditure on solid waste management (SWM) in major cities of the developed world and the collection and transport cost is about 85% in the developing world. There is a need to improve the ability of the city administrators to manage the municipal solid wastes with least cost. Since 2000, new technologies such as geographical information system (GIS) and related optimization software have been used to optimize the haul route distances. The city limits of Chennai were extended from 175 to 426 km(2) in 2011, leading to sub-optimum levels in solid waste transportation of 4840 tonnes per day. After developing a spatial database for the whole of Chennai with 200 wards, the route optimization procedures have been run for the transport of solid wastes from 13 wards (generating nodes) to one transfer station (intermediary before landfill), using ArcGIS. The optimization process reduced the distances travelled by 9.93%. The annual total cost incurred for this segment alone is Indian Rupees (INR) 226.1 million. Savings in terms of time taken for both the current and shortest paths have also been computed, considering traffic conditions. The overall savings are thus very meaningful and call for optimization of the haul routes for the entire Chennai.

Municipal household solid waste collection strategies in an African megacity: analysis of public private partnership performance in Lagos.

Managing municipal solid waste is a pervasive urban problem globally. While several strategies have been applied for efficient municipal solid waste management in developing economies, their performance level has not been critically investigated. Among these strategies, the public private partnership has widest appeal. This study examines the performance of public private partnership in household solid waste collection in Lagos, Nigeria. We collected primary data using a municipal solid waste survey in three residential density areas of Lagos megacity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Two indexes of service performance, namely the service reliability index and operational quality index, were created to produce evidence on public private partnership performance in municipal solid waste collection in Lagos. Results show that the average amount of household solid waste generation per week ranges between 22.75 kg in the medium residential density area and 30.39 kg in the high residential density region of the city. The estimated per capita waste generated in Lagos Megacity is 0.95 kg day(-1). Regression models indicate that the public private partnership performance is significantly influenced by economic status, affordability, flexibility, consistency, cleanliness, coverage and accessibility, as well as number of waste collection vehicles, vehicle maintenance, capacity, trip rate, frequency, number of personnel and quality of personnel. Findings from this study reveal that Lagos residents have strong positive perception of public private partnership as a waste collection policy framework. The study has important policy and practical implications for urban waste management, public health and sustainability in developing economies.