Critical analysis of waste management systems utilizing a performance assessment and optimization model

Abstract

The management of solid waste has been recognized as the cornerstone for sustainable development and closed loop circular economy models. Moreover, solid waste management is at the forefront of initiatives seeking to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This research stems from the limited success that solid waste management programs have had in the context of developing countries and the need to overcome the obstacles and impediments hampering the implementation of a sustainable solid waste management framework. It aims to facilitate the optimization process of the applied technical, operational, and managerial schemes, streamline sustainable practices and close the circularity gap that currently exists in waste management taking Lebanon as a case example. Accordingly, a performance assessment and optimization tool was developed to evaluate the administrative, environmental, and operational performance of 27 unions of municipalities and large municipalities encompassing more than 90 villages/cities. The model compares different technologies based on a set of user defined constraints and groups municipalities and operational facilities into four classes: (A) Superior, (B) Satisfactory, (C) Poor, and (D) No service. The excessive amounts of disposal rates, failure in the adoption of a comprehensive solid waste management framework, the absence of a contingency plan, and the consistent reliance on ad hoc strategies for handling solid waste characterized the sector in Lebanon. A thorough analysis of the various waste management systems revealed that none could be classified as “superior”, with the ratings of most schemes compounded in the lower end of the spectrum. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.