Investigating Multicriteria Decision-Making Methods for E-Waste Management to Reduce Environmental Impacts (Case Study: Markazi Province, Iran)

Abstract

E-waste management is a critical global issue due to its environmental and human health impacts. This study employs multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, specifically the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy AHP, to evaluate and prioritize e-waste management strategies in Markazi Province, Iran. The research follows a structured methodological framework, beginning with an extensive literature review and expert consultations to define key evaluation criteria, including feasibility, cost, environmental policies, public acceptance, and process complexity. AHP and fuzzy AHP methodologies were applied to analyze expert survey data, collected from 60 specialists across academia, government, and industry. The results reveal that recycling (0.34) and reuse (0.31) are the most effective strategies, followed by incineration (0.18) and electronic waste management (EWM) (0.15). The study underscores the importance of structured decision-making frameworks in environmental policy and highlights the necessity of sustainable e-waste management practices to mitigate adverse environmental effects. By integrating qualitative expert judgments with quantitative decision analysis, this research contributes to the global discourse on e-waste governance and offers insights applicable to developing regions facing similar challenges.