Assessing the suitability of existing landfills in East Baton Rouge Parish using spatial multi-criteria decision making

Increasing population and rapid urbanization in growing communities create significant challenges for managing solid waste effectively. As a result of this, landfills have become part of the urban community to manage all urban waste. Still, the siting of this landfill requires a thorough analysis to select an optimal location for sustainable waste management. This study addresses the problem of selection of site for landfill in East Baton Rouge Parish using spatial analysis techniques, specifically Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Given the region's rapid population growth and urbanization, effective waste management is essential for environmental sustainability and public health protection. Integrating various spatial datasets and considering factors such as proximity to water bodies, residential areas, accessibility, and land use, the study developed suitability maps to guide decision-makers in identifying optimal landfill locations. Expert opinions from diverse fields were incorporated through AHP to assign appropriate weights to these criteria, enhancing the robustness of the framework for decision-making. The findings revealed several highly suitable areas (27 % of the total area of East Baton Rouge Parish representing 32,431.95 ha) for landfill sites that balance accessibility, minimal environmental impact, and sufficient distance from residential zones within the Baton Rouge Parish. Notably, the current landfills in the parish were found to be in unsuitable locations, underscoring the necessity for action to protect vulnerable communities like the Alsen St. Irma Lee community village which is within a proximity <500 m from the Ronaldson Field Landfill. The suitability maps and spatial analysis techniques used in the study highlight areas where landfill locations would have minimal negative effects on water bodies, residential zones, and other critical infrastructure.