Optimal Planning of Solid Waste Collection, Recycling and Incineration System

The combustion temperature control for the potential emissions of trace organic compounds during incinera­ tion and the possible decrease of heating values by waste recycling have created a mutually influenced infrastruc­ ture in the current integrated solid waste management sys­ tem. This paper illustrates the problem of the compatibility between waste recycling and incineration by a nonlinear goal programming model. The optimal strategies of vari­ ous planning scenarios and related economic impacts on waste management agencies can then be evaluated. The new management disciplines to be mastered by this model exists for both public and private sectors. From engineer­ ing and management perspectives, it shows that such link­ age is feasible and essential to facilitate the decision mak­ ers for achieving the goals of economic efficiency and en­ vironmental protection simultaneously in a multipurpose solid waste management system.