Multi-criteria decision analysis for waste management in Saharawi refugee camps

Journal Article · Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Waste Management

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2009.05.019· OSTI ID:21269317

Tondelli, S ^[1]; Bonoli, A ^[2]

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1. DAPT, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, I-40126 Bologna (Italy)
2. DICMA, University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, I-40131 Bologna (Italy)

The aim of this paper is to compare different waste management solutions in Saharawi refugee camps (Algeria) and to test the feasibility of a decision-making method developed to be applied in particular conditions in which environmental and social aspects must be considered. It is based on multi criteria analysis, and in particular on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a mathematical technique for multi-criteria decision making (Saaty, T.L., 1980. The Analytic Hierarchy Process. McGraw-Hill, New York, USA; Saaty, T.L., 1990. How to Make a Decision: The Analytic Hierarchy Process. European Journal of Operational Research; Saaty, T.L., 1994. Decision Making for Leaders: The Analytic Hierarchy Process in a Complex World. RWS Publications, Pittsburgh, PA), and on participatory approach, focusing on local community's concerns. The research compares four different waste collection and management alternatives: waste collection by using three tipper trucks, disposal and burning in an open area; waste collection by using seven dumpers and disposal in a landfill; waste collection by using seven dumpers and three tipper trucks and disposal in a landfill; waste collection by using three tipper trucks and disposal in a landfill. The results show that the second and the third solutions provide better scenarios for waste management. Furthermore, the discussion of the results points out the multidisciplinarity of the approach, and the equilibrium between social, environmental and technical impacts. This is a very important aspect in a humanitarian and environmental project, confirming the appropriateness of the chosen method.

• OSTI ID: 21269317
• Journal Information: Waste Management, Vol. 29, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2009.05.019; PII: S0956-053X(09)00212-8; Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SOCIAL IMPACT
WASTES