Development and application of a prioritization and rehabilitation decision support tool for uncontrolled waste disposal sites in developing countries

Abstract

The uncontrolled dumping of solid waste is widespread in many developing countries with most of all generated wastes being indiscriminately disposed of in an unsanitary manner that entails significant environmental and public health risks. It is imperative to prioritize dumpsites based on their relative risks so that the necessary control and remedial measures can be undertaken. This research aimed to formulate a pragmatic prioritization and rehabilitation decision tool that can be utilized in low‐ and middle‐income countries to guide decision makers in prioritizing dumpsites for remediation and in identifying the most suitable rehabilitation option for municipal as well as construction and demolition waste. The established prioritization model presents an integrated, risk‐based approach to developing a decision‐making tool for dumpsite prioritization and rehabilitation. The rehabilitation tool drew on a decision tree module to develop the appropriate remedial measures required for each site. The model proved to be effective in prioritizing uncontrolled solid waste disposal sites in Lebanon and for adopting control and remedial measures that can considerably improve decision‐making. The improper disposal of solid waste adversely affects public health and the environment in, to a greater or lesser extent, almost all low‐ and middle‐income countries. Considering that it is unfeasible to remediate all uncontrolled solid waste disposal sites at once, the proposed model facilitates the evaluation process by prioritizing sites for closure and remediation based on their relative risks. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:436–445. © 2022 SETAC

Prioritizing Public Policy Implementation for Rural Development in a Developing Country via Multicriteria Classification

“…Some prioritization procedures to intervene in rural activities development have been proposed. Massoud et al (2022) present a model with the support of decision trees to prioritize the agricultural chores. Kaghazchi et al (2022) propose a multicriteria Analytical Hierarchic Process (AHP) model with Topsis and fuzzy logic, to select an irrigation method for agricultural purposes considering the objectives of sustainable development.…”

Time flies, waste piles: A bibliometric analysis of solid waste management research

“…The escalation in the number of publications concerning the detrimental consequences of waste on the environment and human health has become increasingly conspicuous. This is due to mounting evidence of the adverse effects of waste on the quality of air, water, and soil, as well as the propagation of diseases caused by waste, as reported by Ifeoluwa (2019), Massoud et al (2023), and Mekonnen et al (2020). An additional noteworthy factor contributing to the rise in publications is the acknowledgement by the public and private sectors of the significance of sustainable waste management practices, leading to the implementation of policies and regulations aimed at tackling the matter (Mugambe et al, 2022).…”

“…Minimising waste and pollution can aid in preserving crucial natural resources such as water and energy (Deng et al, 2020). Improper disposal of solid waste can result in pollution of the air, water, and soil, leading to negative impacts on human health and the environment (Ifeoluwa, 2019;Massoud et al, 2023;Mekonnen et al, 2020). Consequently, studying solid waste management practices enables informed decisions that promote ecosystem health and productivity, ensuring the sustainability of our planet's resources (Abdullah et al, 2021).…”

Challenges of Waste Disposal and Management in Peri-Urban Location around Ilorin Metropolis North Central Nigeria

“…This practice leads to various forms of pollution, including soil, groundwater, and air pollution, along with the emission of greenhouse gases like methane, and the degradation of the aesthetic quality of the surroundings (SeethaRam, 2023). The consequences of improper disposal of solid waste is more felt in low-and middle-income countries (Massoud et al, 2022;SeethaRam, 2023;Angmo & Shah, 2021;Tamanna & Kabir, 2020).…”