Title: Collection and transport of municipal solid waste in a developing country: the case of Greater Beirut Area in Lebanon

Authors: Abbas El Toufaili; Gabriella Pacheco; Luca Toneatti; Dario Pozzetto

Addresses: Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/1, 34127 Trieste TS, Italy ' Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/1, 34127 Trieste TS, Italy ' Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/1, 34127 Trieste TS, Italy ' Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio, 6/1, 34127 Trieste TS, Italy

Abstract: Waste generation has increased globally due to the fast-economic development and urbanisation. In developing countries, many factors are contributing in increasing its generation. In this paper, different methodologies to adopt a better action plan into the solid waste management system in Greater Beirut Area in Lebanon were applied. The main objectives were to: 1) provide a geographical mapping distribution of the solid waste bins in Greater Beirut; 2) select the best solid waste collection route; 3) perform cost calculation of the collection phase; 4) calculate the greenhouse gases emissions. SWOT analysis, QGIS software, Euclidean travelling salesman problem method were employed. For a proper solid waste management system, 7,127 bins are needed to be distributed in Beirut, and 52 trucks to collect the waste. Application of Euclidean travelling salesman problem yielded for choosing a shorter solid waste collection route. Circular economy should be adopted in Lebanon to achieve zero waste.

Keywords: solid waste collection route; municipal solid waste transport; developing countries; Euclidean travelling salesman problem; ETSP; Greater Beirut Area; GBA; quantum geographic information system; QGIS; solid waste management; SWM; solid waste management costs; SWOT analysis; Lebanon.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.142737

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2024 Vol.35 No.4, pp.404 - 421

Received: 19 Oct 2021
Accepted: 01 Jul 2022
Published online: 20 Nov 2024 *

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