Minimax regret analysis for municipal solid waste management: an interval-stochastic programming approach

In this study, an interval minimax regret programming (IMMRP) method is developed for the planning of municipal solid waste (MSW) management under uncertainty. It improves on the existing interval programming and minimax regret analysis methods by allowing uncertainties presented as both intervals and random variables to be effectively communicated into the optimization process. The IMMRP can account for economic consequences under all possible scenarios without any assumption on their probabilities. The developed method is applied to a case study of long-term MSW management planning under uncertainty. Multiple scenarios associated with different cost and risk levels are analyzed. Reasonable solutions are generated, demonstrating complex tradeoffs among system cost, regret level, and system-failure risk. The method can also facilitate examination of the difference between the cost incurred with identified strategy and the least cost under an ideal condition. The results can help determine desired plans and policies for waste management under a variety of uncertainties.     

A generalized fuzzy linear programming approach for environmental management problem under uncertainty

In this study, a generalized fuzzy linear programming (GFLP) method was developed to deal with uncertainties expressed as fuzzy sets that exist in the constraints and objective function. A stepwise interactive algorithm (SIA) was advanced to solve GFLP model and generate solutions expressed as fuzzy sets. To demonstrate its application, the developed GFLP method was applied to a regional sulfur dioxide (SO2) control planning model to identify effective SO2 mitigation polices with a minimized system performance cost under uncertainty. The results were obtained to represent the amount of SO2 allocated to different control measures from different sources. Compared with the conventional interval-parameter linear programming (ILP) approach, the solutions obtained through GFLP were expressed as fuzzy sets, which can provide intervals for the decision variables and objective function, as well as related possibilities. Therefore, the decision makers can make a tradeoff between model stability and the plausibility based on solutions obtained through GFLP and then identify desired policies for SO2-emission control under uncertainty.     

A text mining-based thematic model for analyzing construction and demolition waste management studies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate construction and demolition waste (CDW) management problems. However, the massive...     

城市固体废物管理源头政策调控系统动力学模型

把城市居民固体废弃物源头调控政策、居民的废弃物分类行为与固体废弃物处置管理系统看成动态演化的反馈系统.在固体废弃物从量收费政策和法规政策影响下,采用系统动力学模型分析居民参与废弃物管理的行为对整个废弃物管理系统的动态影响.用开发的昆明城市同体废弃物系统动力学模型对3种设定的政策情景进行了仿真.结果表明:要实现同体废弃物处置与管理的可持续发展,必须在源头上通过收费和法规等政策促使居民参加到废弃物管理系统中,注重提高资源化和无害化能力的同时,要加强源头减量和回收的力度,减少废弃物的非法处置.     

A conflict measure model and its application to supplier evaluation under environmental uncertainty

As environmental issues are of increased concern, many enterprises have participated in some forms of green-purchasing initiatives. Beside the traditional criteria, the supplier's environmental consciousness, environmental mission, advances in developing environmentally friendly goods, etc., should be evaluated. The attitude difference among supply chain partners will create potential problems for their cooperation and collaboration. A conflict evaluation method is proposed based on measuring their inconsistent attitudes toward important issues such as the environmental ones. A model is built for discovering weight parameters from experience. A pre-qualification process is suggested for screening the suppliers by eliminating those conflicts with the buyer firm.     

Two-stage fuzzy-stochastic robust programming: a hybrid model for regional air quality management

In this study, a hybrid two-stage fuzzy-stochastic robust programming (TFSRP) model is developed and applied to the planning of an air-quality management system. As an extension of existing fuzzy-robust programming and two-stage stochastic programming methods, the TFSRP can explicitly address complexities and uncertainties of the study system without unrealistic simplifications. Uncertain parameters can be expressed as probability density and/or fuzzy membership functions, such that robustness of the optimization efforts can be enhanced. Moreover, economic penalties as corrective measures against any infeasibilities arising from the uncertainties are taken into account. This method can, thus, provide a linkage to predefined policies determined by authorities that have to be respected when a modeling effort is undertaken. In its solution algorithm, the fuzzy decision space can be delimited through specification of the uncertainties using dimensional enlargement of the original fuzzy constraints. The developed model is applied to a case study of regional air quality management. The results indicate that reasonable solutions have been obtained. The solutions can be used for further generating pollution-mitigation alternatives with minimized system costs and for providing a more solid support for sound environmental decisions.     

Sustainable development and planning of coal industry under uncertainty using system dynamic and stochastic programming

We select a city that is one of the ten major coal bases in China and analyse the prospective development of the coal industry in this region. We introduce Stochastic Programming (SP) to the coal industry to manage uncertainties complicating the accurate prediction of the industry's development. First, we establish a coal industry system in the region and analyse this system. Second, we set up a System Dynamic-Stochastic Programming (SD-SP) model based on the coal industry in the region. Third, we set up the SD-SP model with sensitivity analysis to the coal industry. Finally, we complete the simulation by importing optimum parameters and contrasting the optimisation scheme with the current programming scheme.     

医疗废物高温蒸气杀菌工艺中质热传递模型

医疗废物高温蒸气灭菌工艺中,如何使蒸气充分渗透到医疗废物内部是决定杀菌效果的关键。结合实际的操作工艺,以单片物料作为研究对象,将其视为多孔介质,从多孔物料传质传热的基本理论出发,建立了医疗废物内部传质传热数学模型,给出了其解析解,并通过实验验证了所建模型的合理性。     

Investigating motivating factors for sound hospital waste management

Sustainable management of hospital waste requires an active involvement of all key players. This study aims to test the hypothesis that three motivating factors, namely, Reputation, Liability, and Expense, influence hospital waste management. The survey for this study was conducted in two phases, with the pilot study used for exploratory factor analysis and the subsequent main survey used for cross-validation using confirmatory factor analysis. The hypotheses were validated through one-sample t tests. Correlations were established between the three motivating factors and organizational characteristics of hospital type, location, category, and size. The hypotheses were validated, and it was found that the factors of Liability and Expense varied considerably with respect to location and size of a hospital. The factor of Reputation, however, did not exhibit significant variation. In conclusion, concerns about the reputation of a facility and an apprehension of liability act as incentives for sound hospital waste management, whereas concerns about financial costs and perceived overburden on staff act as disincentives.

Implications: This paper identifies the non economic motivating factors that can be used to encourage behavioral changes regarding waste management at hospitals in resource constrained environments. This study discovered that organizational characteristics such as hospital size and location cause the responses to vary among the subjects. Hence a policy maker must take into account the institutional setting before introducing a change geared towards better waste management outcomes across hospitals. This study covers a topic that has hitherto been neglected in resource constrained countries. Thus it can be used as one of the first steps to highlight and tackle the issue.     

A life-cycle inventory model of municipal solid waste combustion

Evaluation of alternate strategies for municipal solid waste (MSW) management requires models to calculate environmental emissions as a function of both waste quantity and composition. A methodology to calculate waste component-specific emissions associated with MSW combustion is presented here. The methodology considers emissions at a combustion facility as well as those avoided at an electrical energy facility because of energy recovered from waste combustion. Emission factors, in units of kg pollutant per metric ton MSW entering the combustion facility, are calculated for CO2-biomass, CO2-fossil, SOx, HCl, NOx, dioxins/furans, PM, CO, and 11 metals. Water emissions associated with electrical energy offsets are also considered. Reductions in environmental emissions for a 500-metric-ton-per-day combustion facility that recovers energy are calculated.     

Production of sludge-incorporated paver blocks for efficient waste management

Waste management plays a vital role in the reuse of industry wastes in to useful conversions. The treatment of effluents from the combined textile effluent treatment plant and hypo sludge from the paper industry results in sludge generation, which poses a huge challenge for its disposal. Therefore, an eco-friendly attempt is made to utilize them in the production of paver blocks. Paver blocks are construction units that have vast applications in street roads, walking paths, fuel stations, and so on. In this study, an innovative attempt has been made to manufacture paver blocks incorporating textile effluent treatment plant sludge and hypo sludge, to utilize them in suitable proportions. The effect of adding silica fume and polypropylene fibre in paver blocks has also been studied. Paver blocks containing sludge with different proportions were cast based on the recommendations in Indian Standards (IS) 15658, and the test results were compared with the nominal M20 grade and M30 grade paver blocks. The outcomes of the paver block combinations were studied and found to be an effective utilization of sludge with substantial cement replacement of up to 35%, resulting in effective waste management for specific industries.

Implications: Presently, paver blocks are construction units that have vast application in street roads and other constructions like walking paths, fuel stations, and so on. Also, paver blocks possess easy maintenance during breakages. Based on this application, an innovative attempt has been made to manufacture paver blocks incorporating textile effluent treatment plant sludge and hypo sludge to utilize them in suitable proportions.     

Remedial strategies for municipal solid waste management in China

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the current status and to identify the problems of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in China to determine appropriate remedial strategies. This is the second of two papers proposed on this topic. Major problems or difficulties identified in MSW management in China include MSW land, air, and water pollution, commingled collection, poor administration, shortage of funds, lack of facilities, and problems of training and public awareness. In order to solve these problems and to improve MSW management in China, remedial strategies in three areas are recommended: institutional reform, technology development, and legislation and administrative improvement. The primary principle involved in institutional reform is unifying legislative responsibilities into one body and developing a market mechanism for handling MSW. Composting, landfills, and incineration should be equally developed in accordance with China's needs. The feasibility of developing technology to handle MSW in China is discussed. Also recommended is the establishment of sound regulatory systems, including a service fee system, a source separation system, and a training program. China is presently undergoing economic and institutional reform at the national and local levels. Results of this study will provide useful information on MSW management in China.     

Application of life cycle assessment for hospital solid waste management: A case study

This study was meant to determine environmental aspects of hospital waste management scenarios using a life cycle analysis approach. The survey for this study was conducted at the largest hospital in a major city of Pakistan. The hospital was thoroughly analyzed from November 2014 to January 2015 to quantify its wastes by category. The functional unit of the study was selected as 1 tonne of disposable solid hospital waste. System boundaries included transportation of hospital solid waste and its treatment and disposal by landfilling, incineration, composting, and material recycling methods. These methods were evaluated based on their greenhouse gas emissions. Landfilling and incineration turned out to be the worst final disposal alternatives, whereas composting and material recovery displayed savings in emissions. An integrated system (composting, incineration, and material recycling) was found as the best solution among the evaluated scenarios. This study can be used by policymakers for the formulation of an integrated hospital waste management plan.

Implications: This study deals with environmental aspects of hospital waste management scenarios. It is an increasing area of concern in many developing and resource-constrained countries of the world. The life cycle analysis (LCA) approach is a useful tool for estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from different waste management activities. There is a shortage of information in existing literature regarding LCA of hospital wastes. To the best knowledge of the authors this work is the first attempt at quantifying the environmental footprint of hospital waste in Pakistan.     

Review of hospital plastic waste management strategies for Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Healthcare waste management is considered one of the biggest challenges that the world is going to face in the future. This threat is becoming reality...     

A framework for error analysis of a long-range transport model with emphasis on parameter uncertainty

A comprehensive framework for model error analysis is applied to the EMEP-W model of longrange transport of sulfur in Europe. This framework includes a proposed taxonomy of model uncertainties. Parameter uncertainties were investigated by Monte Carlo simulation of two source-receptor combinations. A 20% input parameter uncertainty (expressed as a coefficient of variation = standard deviation/mean) yielded a 15–22% output error of total sulfur deposition. The relationship between output error and input uncertainty was approximately proportional. Covariance between parameters can have an important effect on computed model error, and can either exaggerate or reduce errors compared to the uncorrelated case. Of the model state variables, SO₂ air concentration and wet deposition had the highest error, and total sulfur deposition the lowest. It was also found that it is more important to specify the dispersion of the input parameter frequency distributions than their shape. The results of the model error analysis were applied to routine calculations of deposition in Europe. An error (coefficient of variation) of 20% for transfer coefficients throughout Europe yielded spatial variations in the order of a few tens to a few hundreds of km in computed deposition isolines of 2 and 5 g sulfur m⁻²a⁻¹.     

Shortest service location model for planning waste pickup locations

A municipal solid waste (MSW) and recycled material curbside pickup bus system was recently initiated in a Taiwan city to improve collection service. For such an MSW pickup system, selecting appropriate collection stops critically affects hauling costs and service efficiency. Conventionally, MSW collection points are heuristically and manually chosen, resulting in a hauling system that is not as effective as intended in terms of location suitability and the number of collection points. The Shortest Service Location (SSL) model, which minimizes the sum of service distances, was therefore proposed in this study. The SSL model was compared with two other models for a local MSW pickup system problem. Using georeferenced graphs generated by a geographical information system (GIS) and related programs, the performance of the three models was compared according to walking distance to a service stop, the coverage of a service stop, and the number of service stops. The results show that the SSL solution can shorten walking distances by approximately 10% and reduce the overlap of service areas covered.     

An optimal model and its application for the management of municipal solid waste from regional small cities in China

Based on the basic characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) from regional small cities in China, some optimal management principles have been put forward: regional optimization, long-term optimization, and integrated treatment/disposal optimization. According to these principles, an optimal MSW management model for regional small cities is developed and provides a useful method to manage MSW from regional small cities. A case study application of the optimal model is described and shows that the optimal management scenarios in the controlling region can be gained, adequately validating and accounting for the advantages of the optimal model.