Modelling solid waste management solutions: The case of Campania, Italy

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Operations Research
• Systems Dynamics

Background:

• Campania faces a persistent waste crisis, extensively documented but often analyzed statically.
• Existing quantitative analyses offer limited insight into the dynamic interactions within the waste management system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a dynamic model for analyzing the waste crisis in Campania.
• To understand the interactions and evolution of key waste system elements over time.
• To provide a framework for evaluating alternative waste management policies.

Main Methods:

• Development of a dynamic simulation model.
• Incorporation of waste flow through treatment options.
• Analysis of capacity construction processes and their impact on system behavior.

Main Results:

• The model illustrates the dynamic evolution of Campania's waste system.
• It highlights potential system failures when infrastructure capacity is insufficient.
• The model quantifies the impact of varying waste treatment capacities.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic modeling is essential for understanding complex, evolving waste crises.
• The developed model offers a robust framework for policy analysis and strategic planning in waste management.
• Effective waste management requires proactive capacity planning aligned with waste generation dynamics.