Combination of GIS and Fuzzy AHP with the VIKOR Method for the Optimal Strategies for Municipal Solid Waste Management: Case Study of the Province of Tiznit

Abstract

In this paper a combination ofgeographic information system (GIS) and fuzzy multi-criteria decision analysiswas used for the optimal management of municipal solid waste (MSW) of theprovince of Tiznit, including the selection of the optimal location andappropriate methods for a treatment and recovery facility. GIS has ensured abetter positioning of the potential sites as well as the localization of thedifferent components of the study area. Environmental, social, technical andeconomic criteria were considered for the comparison between the differentvariants of which five locations and five treatment and recovery scenarios wereproposed. The weights of the different criteria were determined using fuzzyanalytical hierarchy process based on a linear programming and the finalvariant was selected on the basis of the VIKOR method. The optimal location wasidentified with respect to the environmental and social components of theprovince and it was found that the mechanical-biological treatment process withproduction of compost and refuse derived fuel is the most suitable with respectto the physical and chemical characteristics of the MSW of the province.