SWDSS: A decision support system based on inexact optimization for regional waste management and planning - application to the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth

In this study, a solid waste decision support system (SWDSS) based on an inexact mixed integer linear programming (IMILP) model is developed and applied to long-term planning for the waste management system in the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth (RHW). The IMILP can effectively incorporate different types of uncertainties within its optimization process and resulting solutions. It also has relatively low computational requirements and is applicable to practical problems. Application of the SWDSS to the practical case study indicates that, since a number of system components in the RHW are uncertain with many of them being known as intervals without distribution information, the SWDSS is directly useful for reflecting the uncertainties. Through examination of the relations and conflicts between different system components, an IMILP model was be formulated. Questions of siting, timing and sizing for new/expanded waste management facilities, as well as the related design for waste flow allocation can then be answered. The results indicate that reasonable and useful solutions have been generated. They are potentially useful for solid waste decision-makers for the planning of waste management activities in order to achieve maximized environmental and economic benefits.