A Tripple Bottom Line Assessment of Solid Waste Mangaement System: An Application of AHP

Abstract

Effective solid waste management is essential for sustainable development, addressing environmental concerns, and achieving socio economic well-being. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the solid waste management system using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework and employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a decision-making tool. The research aims to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of thewaste management system, considering various criteria and sub-criteria.

The environmental dimension assesses the impact of waste management practices on ecosystems, natural resources, and climate change. Factors such as waste reduction, recycling, composting, and energy recovery are evaluated to determine their environmental effectiveness. The social dimension focuses on the implications of waste management on human health, community well-being, and equity. Parameters like public participation, awareness programs, employment generation, and social justice are considered. The economic dimension investigates the financial viability and cost-effectiveness of waste management strategies. Criteria such as cost of collection, treatment, disposal, revenue generation, and economic benefits are examined.
The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to analyse the relative importance of criteria and sub-criteria in the TBL assessment. AHP allows decision-makers to structure the decision problem, prioritize criteria, and derive weights based on pairwise comparisons. Expert opinions, stakeholder inputs, and available data are utilized to establish the decision hierarchy and pairwise comparisons. The AHP process facilitates a systematic evaluation, enabling decision-makers to identify the most suitable waste management strategies based on TBL principles.

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the performance of the solid waste management system from a TBL perspective. By considering the environmental, social, and economic dimensions simultaneously, decision makers can identify strategies that achieve optimal outcomes across multiple dimensions. The AHP-based assessment enables a transparent
and rational decision-making process, promoting informed choices and resource allocation in waste management. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by integrating
the TBL framework and AHP methodology for solid waste management assessment. It emphasizes the importance of a holistic approachto waste management that goes beyond traditional cost considerations.