Selection of the central composting facility for organic wastes through the Bayesian best worst method and Geographic information system incorporation: The case of Istanbul

The rapid increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, driven by population growth and unplanned urbanization, has made the location of organic waste collection and disposal facilities a critical issue for metropolitan cities. Improper waste management practices threaten environmental sustainability, human health, and urban futures. This study applies multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods to identify the optimal placement for a central composting facility in Istanbul. A novel MCDM mechanism was developed, building on existing methods and addressing a gap in the literature. While determining the criteria, academic studies on this subject were researched in depth and the criteria used in these studies were brought together to obtain 28 criteria. The study assessed 28 criteria using the Bayesian Best-Worst Method (BWM) to determine their relative importance. These weights were then integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) to produce a suitability map, highlighting the most appropriate locations for the facility. Based on this analysis, the Çatalca Karacabey region was identified as the optimal site, ensuring reduced environmental impact and improved efficiency in organic waste management. The study contributes both theoretically and practically to the field, offering a robust framework for sustainable waste facility siting and providing actionable insights for urban governance. The study provides valuable insights for facility siting and urban governance, while highlighting areas for future research.