Mathematical Modelling for Solid Waste Management

Projection of global waste generation to 2016, 2030, and 2050 using mathematical model revealed that the waste generation is likely to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050 with the waste generation in high-income nations projected to rise by 19% by 2050, compared to the increase by more than three times in low-income countries. Total waste generation in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa is expected to nearly triple, double, and double, respectively by 2050. Mathematical model is something which is neglected by solid waste managers even though a plethora of literature is published on the subject by researchers. A quick look at these models reveals the benefits which are often neglected by the waste managers. It has tremendous capability to expose wrong decisions and, financial irregularities. It can also help in taking proper decisions for corrective action in predicting solid waste quantity, facility planning, operation schedule, manpower assignment, optimisation of vehicle routes, and new solid waste management (SWM) facility. This chapter discusses some of the fundaments and details of mathematical modeling in SWM.