Optimizing municipal solid waste management in industrial ports: A case study of source separation implementation.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Waste Management
• Industrial Ecology

Background:

• Industrialization and population growth are increasing global municipal solid waste (MSW) generation.
• Efficient waste management strategies are crucial for sustainable economic, environmental, and social development.
• Source separation policies are foundational for optimizing material flow and resource utilization in waste management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate integrated waste management scenarios for industrial port environments.
• To prioritize waste management strategies using the ELECTRE-I multi-criteria decision-making model.
• To identify the most effective approach for source separation of MSW in a port setting.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of three integrated waste management scenarios: current practice, segregated collection, and source separation into two or three groups.
• Prioritization of scenarios using the ELECTRE-I model at Bahregan Port, Iran.
• Sensitivity analysis to assess the influence of various criteria on scenario selection.

Main Results:

• The scenario involving segregated collection followed by source separation into three groups was identified as the most effective.
• Scenario rankings remained consistent under optimistic and pessimistic conditions, though pessimistic conditions introduced uncertainty.
• Criteria such as raw material protection, waste separation emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions were highly influential.

Conclusions:

• Source separation of MSW, particularly into three groups, offers a practical and technically viable strategy for enhancing environmental sustainability in industrial settings.
• Expert opinions and external factors significantly influenced scenario prioritization, highlighting the importance of stakeholder input.
• This research provides a foundational framework for implementing effective source separation initiatives in industrial port environments.