| The purpose of the research has been to develop a linear programming model for integrated solid waste management and an approach for evaluating landfill utilization using the model. The proposed method generates a community's derived demand curve and supply curve for landfill disposal based on numerous site-specific data. The desired management alternative, which specifies the demand curve for disposal, and the level of disposal, which specifies the supply curve for disposal, are defined as functions of disposal costs. Assuming that tipping fees represent the true disposal cost and are market determined, the tipping fee can be used as an economic instrument to affect the solid waste management solution. The study emphasizes the importance of disposal cost on the selection of management alternatives and unit processes. The research involves the following applications of the proposed method; generation of alternative solutions, management of demand curve, and management of supply curve. Modeling-to-Generate Alternatives (MGA) techniques are applied to generate alternatives that may be considered in a comprehensive planning effort. Also, the method is used to explore management policy options such as recycling subsidies and waste transfer. These policies may shift a community's derived demand or supply for landfill disposal to induce a desirable management scheme for a given community. Illustrative examples are used to demonstrate that the methodology can be applied to explore comprehensive solid waste management alternatives. |
