Developing Circular Waste Management Strategies Based on a Waste Eco-Park Concept: A Multiobjective Optimization with Environmental, Economic, and Social Trade-offs

• Published in: Industrial & engineering chemistry research Vol. 62; no. 41; pp. 16827 - 16840
• Main Authors: Chin, Min Yee, Lee, Chew Tin, Woon, Kok Sin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 18.10.2023
• Subjects: Process Systems Engineering
• ISSN: 0888-5885; 1520-5045
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.3c02225

Adopting a waste eco-park (WEP) for circular economy principles in municipal solid waste (MSW) management gains recognition as a sustainable alternative to the linear model. This research develops a multiobjective optimization model for optimal MSW configurations based on a WEP setting by integrating economic, environmental, and social considerations. A Malaysian case study illustrates the model’s application. Solution 11 (26% composting, 37% anaerobic digestion, 17% incineration, and 21% material recovery facility) achieves the highest satisfaction with the highest economic feasibility (2.24 Pt/t) and social acceptance (0.1869 Pt/t). Sensitivity analysis reveals treatment configuration stability with anaerobic digestion, but changes occur with a 10% increase in the electricity generation from incineration and sanitary landfills. Scenario analysis highlights the importance of optimization, demonstrating that optimal solutions offer the most sustainable outcomes over waste-to-energy-centric scenarios. The developed model could be adapted for global applications, guiding decision-makers in establishing a WEP that balances economics, environment, and society.