Modeling of risk for improper sorting of waste at Recycling Centers

摘要

This study has demonstrated the use of weighted-linear-combination approach in connection with fuzzy set functions of Total Population, Total Distance, Annual income per person and Total number of opening hours of Recycling Centers (RCs), in ArcGIS environment, to generate risk maps and characterize RCs based on risk for improper sorting of waste. Analysis of data shows that there are 73 RCs, at which, risk for improper sorting of waste is highest. On average, there is one RC for every 19,402 individuals in Sweden and a single round trip made by Swedes to nearest RC, results in emission of 1340 ktons of C02. Furthermore, it is found that strategies needed (e.g. installation of new RCs or shifting of RCs closer to densely populated areas (DPAs) or increase in number of opening hours or availability of pre-visit sorting information etc.), to reduce risk for improper sorting of waste, are different for RCs that are operated under different management forms. Variations in tariffs, limited number of waste fractions to be collected per RC, confusing terminologies, design parameters of RCs and non-implementation of EU Directive 2018/851 with respect to packaging waste, are other factors that are affecting quality of waste sorting at RCs, and are discussed in the article. Results from this research can be utilized to identify site specific needs for improving sorting of waste and to identify priority areas for installation of new RCs.