Supply Chain Design and Optimization of the Municipal Solid Waste Considering Waste Classification

Abstract

Waste supply chain is one of the key methods to lower the negative effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) due to its larger production. The supply chain of MSW mainly contains four processes: collection, classification, transportation and treatment. MSW can be divided into four categories: kitchen waste, recyclable waste, harmful waste and other waste. A mathematical model for the design and optimization of the MSW supply chain is built to obtain the optimal supply chain network, including the optimal MSW collection and classification site, the classified MSW collection site location and its capability as well as the classified MSW transportation way. The total annual cost (TAC) is 5.73×108 CNY·y-1, including the total transportation cost is 4.42×1010 CNY·y-1 and the total treatment cost is -4.36×1010 CNY·y-1. The transportation cost takes a large proportion of the TAC. The most efficient way to lower the TAC is to decrease the transportation cost. The proposed model can be used for the waste supply chain design considering the further treatment and utilization of different waste categories.