Improving the tactical planning of solid waste collection with prescriptive analytics: a case study

Paper aims This study presents several business analytics tools that allow improving the tactical planning of collection process for a Colombian solid-waste management company. Originality The extant literature operations research/analytics applied to these systems focuses on facility location or vehicle routing. Tactical decisions are seldom studied in devoted waste systems. By contrast, focus this paper is decisions: fleet sizing, frequency assignment, route scheduling and internal resource allocation new transfer station. Research method We follow multimethodology approach uses mathematical programming, metaheuristics, discrete event simulation. models use historical information system, solution model used as input data other models. Main findings Introducing station allows an important reduction compactors fleet. However, prevent collapse its operation even needed. achieved by rescheduling routes balance their arrival during day. Additional benefits can be attained if some soft constraints relaxed. Implications theory practice Practitioners looking have here example application benefits. Improvements without heavily disrupting at operational level.