Optimizing routes of municipal waste collection: an application algorithm
Management of Environmental Quality
ISSN: 1477-7835
Article publication date: 15 January 2024
Issue publication date: 6 June 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to formulate an algorithm designed to discern the optimal routes for efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) collection.
Design/methodology/approach
The research method is simulation. The proposed algorithm combines heuristics derived from the constructive genetic algorithm (CGA) and tabu search (TS). The algorithm is applied in a municipality located at Southern Brazil, with 40,000 inhabitants, circa.
Findings
The implementation achieved a remarkable 25.44% reduction in daily mileage of the vehicles, resulting in savings of 150.80 km/month and 1,809.60 km/year. Additionally, it reduced greenhouse gas emissions (including fossil CO2, CH4, N2O, total CO2e and biogenic CO2) by an average of 26.15%. Moreover, it saved 39 min of daily working time.
Research limitations/implications
Further research should thoroughly analyze the feasibility of decision-making regarding planning, scheduling and scaling municipal services using digital technology.
Practical implications
The municipality now has a tool to improve public management, mainly related with municipal solid waste. The municipality reduced the cost of public management of municipal solid waste, redirecting funds to other priorities, such as public health and education.
Originality/value
The study integrates MSW collection service with an online platform based on Google MapsTM. The advantages of employing geographical information systems are agility, low cost, adaptation to changes and accuracy.
Keywords
Citation
Ferrão, C.C., Moraes, J.A.R., Fava, L.P., Furtado, J.C., Machado, E., Rodrigues, A. and Sellitto, M.A. (2024), "Optimizing routes of municipal waste collection: an application algorithm", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 35 No. 5, pp. 965-985. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-08-2023-0267
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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