Inexact inventory-theory-based optimization of oily waste management system in shoreline spill response

The oily waste generated from the cleanup operations during shoreline spill response can result in challenging environmental and socioeconomic problems. In this study, an inexact inventory-theory-based optimization model (ITOM) for oily waste management during shoreline spill response was developed to support the spill management team. The most appropriate facilities and optimal waste allocation scheme under uncertainty can be selected to achieve minimum total system cost. To satisfy the demand of oily waste treatment, these oily waste management facilities can be selectively opened depending on the situation. In the combination with the economic order quantity model of inventory theory, the developed model can provide the optimal solutions of batch size and order cycle for treatment facilities to minimize the inventory cost. A case study was used to demonstrate the application of ITOM. The obtained solutions include the facilities selection and waste allocation for waste collection and destocking stages under different risk levels. These solutions can provide a good guideline with managers to analyze the trade-offs between system cost and constraint-violation risks. The developed model has high application potential as a job-aid tool to manage the oily waste generated from oiled shoreline cleanup operations.