Integration of Remote Sensing, MCDM, and GIS Network Analysis to Better Locate Waste Treatment and Processing Facilities in Saskatchewan, Canada, at a Regional Level

A framework for landfill site suitability evaluation is developed in the current study by integration of remote sensing, MCDM tools, and GIS network analysis. Saskatchewan is selected as a study area to evaluate the outcomes of this framework regarding the presence of remote communities, the scattered pattern of population distribution, and the acceptance of regional and innovative solutions for solid waste management at a provincial level. Results indicate an abundance number of suitable areas in the southern and central parts of the province for future landfills, probably due to dominant forest areas and frequent water bodies in northern regions. Over 43% of the potentially suitable sites for landfilling have access to the neighboring population centers, while some northern and central remote communities are without access to proper landfill sites. Thus, adopting less suitable sites for landfilling and using long-distance traveling trucks for solid waste collection might be alternative ways to overcome this issue. Current framework not only indicates the suitable sites for future landfills but also accounts for population coverage and accessibility to different candidate sites. Additional constraints such as slope, aspect, presence of airports, soil types, and hazardous areas might be integrated to precisely define the location of future landfills.