Using The Analytic Hierarchy Process for Decision Support in a MSW Collection Scheme.

Changes in legislation of municipal solid waste management in the UK force Local Authorities to have to evaluate their collection schemes on a regular basis. Coupled with having to maintain the collection fleet and assess the best way to collect as much recyclate as possible involves various rounds of decision making. This paper outlines the decision method followed and a decision support tool using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multicriteria decision analysis method, and tested in relation to a Local Authority in West Wales. The tool takes into consideration implementation, promotional and running costs, legislative drivers and end market issues to form the favoured decision. Kerbside Sort is currently the preferred method of collection by Welsh Government, whereas the favoured method by the majority of Local Authorities is a commingled collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]