Application of multi criteria decision making methods for sustainable waste management in developing economy

Abstract

This thesis discusses the necessity of sustainable development in context of waste newlinemanagement. It examines how sustainability can be measured and used as the foundation newlinefor essential waste management decisions. Waste management is indispensable in order newlineto avert the adverse environmental and health hazards caused due to different types of newlinewastes, thus enhancing the well-being of the general public. Several types of wastes are newlinegenerated across the globe. Electronic waste (e-waste) is increasing due to increase in the newlinenumber of electronic products being manufactured by companies and bought by newlineconsumers. This has been causing waste management problems globally. Managing the newlinemassive amount of e-waste in developing countries presents several difficulties. The newlinepresence of barriers makes e-waste management difficult. Also, the amount of healthcare newlinewaste (HCW) produced daily is increasing with the growth in healthcare facilities. HCW newlinegenerated consists of hazardous material that may be radioactive, toxic, or infectious. newlineThe massive increase in HCW generation was brought on by the COVID-19 coronavirus newlineepidemic at the start of 2020. With the release of infections and harmful contaminants newlineinto the environment, improper HCW treatment and disposal may indirectly affect newlineoverall health of general public. Hospital operations save lives and restore health, but newlinethey also generate infectious waste that, if not handled appropriately, might be harmful newlineto both people and environment. The biggest problem in HCW management is its newlinehandling, which causes anxiety over sorting and categorizing the waste. Hence, this newlinethesis presents the research carried out to identify and address the challenges towards newlinesustainable environmental development by managing infectious and hazardous wastes. newlineThe inappropriate treatment of waste is a cause of concern particularly in developing newlinecountries. Unfortunately, these developing nations have many obstacles to properly newlinemanaging various types of wastes. newline