Combining AHP with GIS for landfill site selection: Case of the Ben Ahmed circle

Abstract

The demographic growth in the circle of Ben Ahmed leads to a large production of household waste. This waste is disposed of in uncontrolled open-air landfills. The informal discharge of this waste leads to negative impacts on the environment and on human health. To remedy these effects, this work aims to locate suitable locations for a sanitary landfill. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria approach, and the Geographic Information System (GIS) were used. Following a thorough study, nine criteria were taken into account; distance to groundwater, water bodies, roads, highways, settlements, forests, land use map, elevation, and slope. Suitable sites have been identified to assist managers and officials in selecting a good location for a legal landfill.