Methodology to design a municipal solid waste generation and composition map: a case study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Urban Planning
• Waste Management

Background:

• Effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management is crucial for public health, environmental protection, and resource conservation.
• Waste generation and composition patterns are influenced by socio-economic factors and vary geographically and temporally.
• Data heterogeneity across urban areas necessitates structured approaches for MSW planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a structured methodology for designing municipal solid waste (MSW) management plans.
• To provide guidance for local authorities and private companies in developing tailored MSW strategies.
• To integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for enhanced visualization and interpretation of waste data.

Main Methods:

• Developed a structured methodology for MSW management planning.
• Proposed two approaches: a direct method for detailed data and an indirect method using bibliographic data.
• Combined planning methodology with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for data visualization.

Main Results:

• The methodology facilitates the organization of MSW collection routes, including selective collection.
• The use of thematic maps derived from GIS aids in efficient interpretation of waste data.
• The approach was successfully applied to a case study in a Spanish town.

Conclusions:

• The proposed methodology offers a valuable tool for local authorities and private entities in MSW management.
• Integrating GIS with waste management planning enhances decision-making efficiency.
• The structured approach supports the development of effective and adaptable MSW management plans.