Sustainable supply chain network design for the optimal utilization of municipal solid waste

Abstract

The growing waste generation, increasing environmental regulations, and limited land area for waste disposal necessitate an effective and efficient waste supply chain management solution in terms of both socioeconomic perspectives and environmental sustainability. Waste management is connected to supply chain decisions as it involves waste generation, collection, separation, transportation, processing, and disposal. Accordingly, this paper develops a mixed integer linear programming model for the optimal planning of a waste management system in a multi-echelon supply chain network, which aims to find a trade-off between supply chain costs, depletion of waste and efficient use of generated waste while considering the environmental impacts. Various recycling and WtE technologies are utilized to convert plastic and mixed waste into value-added products including fuel, electricity, and heat. Though recycling is preferable from an environmental point of view, it is shown that the waste-toenergy option is more economically efficient.

Redesigning the Municipal Solid Waste Supply Chain Considering the Classified Collection and Disposal: A Case Study of Incinerable Waste in Beijing

“…After that, a two-stage stochastic MILP model is formulated to examine the effects of the power price uncertainties on the MSW supply chain design [16] [15]. Additionally, an MILP model for waste supply chain networks containing the logistics, production, and distribution is presented with the aim of maximum profit of the entire supply chain [17].…”

“…Formula ( 16) indicates that the total transportation volume of waste trucks is equal to the storage volume of collection stations. Formula (17) indicates that the amount of waste being transported at each collection station is equal to the amount stored. Additionally, q k ic is the shipment volume of the truck when it passes through collection station i, which is greater than 0.…”