Computer-based interface for an integrated solid waste management optimization model

Planning a regional waste management strategy is a critical step that, if not properly addressed, will lead to an inefficient integrated solid waste management (ISWM) system. Regional planning affects the design, implementation, and efficiency of the overall ISWM scheme. Consequently, decision-makers must look for optimized regional waste management planning to achieve a successful strategy. The optimization of an ISWM strategy for an area requires the knowledge of available solid waste management alternatives and technologies, economic and environmental costs associated with these alternatives, and their applicability to the specific area. Decision-makers often have to rely on optimization models to examine the impacts of mass balance, capacity limitations, operation, and site availability as well as to analyze different alternative options in the selection of a cost effective, environmentally sound waste management alternative. In this context, the complexity associated with the formulation of optimization models may hinder its use, and consequently, user friendliness is a major concern. This paper presents an interface that was developed to address this concern, that is to formulate the matrices associated with an integrated waste management optimization model. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.