Using geospatial data for decision making for a MSW management plan in the city: a case study in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Under the pressure of rapid urbanization, many cities encounter a great challenge in providing decent and efficient waste management service. Many ongoing and previous studies have experimented with various techniques to provide suggestions and alternatives to improve solid waste management in urbanized areas. There is a demand for the development of high-impact information and detailed planning approaches, which can lead to effective waste management. The goal of this research is to analyze how to apply various sets of performance indicators as a predetermined parameter to prioritize hot spots in waste generation and handling in the city. Due to limited resources in the public finance sectors of government agencies, tackling solid waste issues with the most effective efforts will help solve the problem more quickly and efficiently. The study examined how geospatial data can be used to assist with municipal solid waste management planning and monitoring. The study determined how to use a set of waste management indicators to better manage solid waste issues in the city of Bangkok. Hot spot areas are identified and mapped using geographic information systems (GIS). Results indicate that 85% of hot spot areas are located near the On Nuch transfer station, and ~ 70% of hot spot areas are located in the central and southern zones of Bangkok. Ultimately, the research analyzed information to develop a short-term recommendation that focuses on improving waste pickup schedules and routing and on providing a long-term recommendation for reducing waste generation rates and improving waste management technology in sub-district areas. This study can provide a foundation for how to select a set of indicators and use geospatial data to better assist with environmental management planning to make recommendations in any urbanized city.