Optimization model for solid waste management system network design case study

The management of solid waste has received wide attention from economic, environmental and academic because of the complex nature of these services. Technical and economic problems emerge in part because of rising demand due to income, population growth, a rising level of urbanization, and a decline of suitable disposal sites. These problems challenge researchers to search for more efficient solid waste management methods. Furthermore, from logistic point of view the collection has become more complex because of high fuel and labor cost from the total amount of money spent for collection. 50 to 70 % of the transport and disposal of solid waste was spent on collection phase. Therefore, models for parts of the system as well as models covering the overall system with respect to various temporal, spatial criteria and waste logistics activities are of interest for system analysts and logistics in many real world applications. This study develops a Logistic concept model for the optimal operations and locations of solid waste facilities. To achieve this goal a mathematical model is presented in this article, considering the economical and environmental aspects for selecting strategies that will minimize the cost of waste collection, transportation, operation, and disposal, subject to physical constraints. A case study for "NRW State" Duisburg City in Germany shows the application potential of such a methodology.