Modelling municipal solid waste generation: a review.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Waste Management

Background:

• Municipal solid waste generation modeling is crucial for effective waste management strategies.
• Existing models vary significantly in their approach, data requirements, and regional applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review published municipal solid waste (MSW) generation models.
• To propose an implementation guideline balancing information gain with cost-efficient model development.
• To provide a decision-making tool for selecting appropriate modeling methodologies.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a systematic literature review to identify 45 distinct modeling approaches.
• Developed a classification system for heterogeneous models based on regional scale, waste streams, independent variables, and modeling methods.
• Derived a procedural practice guideline for model design, including sampling, variable selection, and validation.

Main Results:

• Identified 45 diverse MSW generation modeling approaches.
• Established a classification framework for categorizing these models.
• Demonstrated practical application through case studies at household and city levels.
• Summarized findings in a relevance tree for methodology selection.

Conclusions:

• A structured approach and clear guidelines are needed for developing effective and efficient MSW generation models.
• The proposed guideline and classification system facilitate informed methodology selection.
• The findings support better planning and resource allocation in municipal solid waste management.