Exact and heuristic approaches for the locational planning of an integrated solid waste management system

The management of solid waste has received increased public attention over the last few years as a result of industrialization and its effect on the natural and social environment. The location of proper facilities for treating waste is a sensitive issue that has often caused political and social tension. We study the problem of simultaneous design of a distribution network with central treatment facilities, transfer stations and sanitary landfills, and the coordination of waste flows within this network. In order to determine the number, sizes and locations of the solid waste management (SWM) facilities we propose a MIP formulation of the problem. We present a series of valid inequalities for improving the formulation and discuss their effectiveness. We also present an interchange heuristic that enables us to solve large problems efficiently. Finally, we apply these concepts in an action research project for the development of a SWM system for a specific region in Greece.