Modelling solid waste management solutions: The case of Campania, Italy

Waste Manag. 2018 Aug:78:717-729. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.06.006. Epub 2018 Jun 29.

Abstract

The waste crisis in Campania has inspired a huge body of literature that has described its complex nature. Quantitative analysis in this regard provides useful insight into single aspects of the problem but from a static perspective. In this work, a dynamic model has been developed to analyse the interactions between the main elements of the waste system in Campania and their evolution over the critical time horizon. The model considers the process of capacity construction that has been developed to deal with the crisis and the flow of waste through the treatment options available, showing how the waste system behaves if such infrastructures are not able to cope with the amounts expected. The model also provides the analytical framework to explore the effects of alternative waste policies.

Keywords: Decision support tool; Municipal solid waste management; Policy analysis; System dynamics modelling; Waste modelling; Waste policy.