Waste processing facility location problem by stochastic programming: Models and solutions

The paper deals with the so-called waste processing facility location problem (FLP), which asks for establishing a set of operational waste processing units, optimal against the total expected cost. We minimize the waste management (WM) expenditure of the waste producers, which is derived from the related waste processing, transportation, and investment costs. We use a stochastic programming approach in recognition of the inherent uncertainties in this area. Two relevant models are presented and discussed in the paper. Initially, we extend the common transportation network flow model with on-and-off waste-processing capacities in selected nodes, representing the facility location. Subsequently, we model the randomly-varying production of waste by a scenario-based two-stage stochastic integer linear program. Finally, we employ selected pricing ideas from revenue management to model the behavior of the waste producers, who we assume to be environmentally friendly. The modeling ideas are illustrated on an example of limited size solved in GAMS. Computations on larger instances were realized with traditional and heuristic algorithms, implemented within MATLAB. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

Landfill design: need for improvement of water and soil protection requirements in EU Landfill Directive

This paper deals with environmental policy issues related to a landfill design. The final product of numerous waste treatments should be placed on a landfill. Before waste disposal, the ground should be protected by a mineral layer with properties required by the related regulation. In order to prevent environment pollution, EU adopted the Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC. The most important technical requirements related to the characteristics of the layer material are water permeability and thickness. The performed comparative national regulatory analysis raised the question of the need for more uniform elaboration of the directive requirements over the whole European Union area (including EU candidates). The choice of the material for the impermeable mineral layer, which should be made during landfill design, is a very important decision. Methods for the determination of the permeability coefficient were analysed, showing that the Directive should define hydraulic gradient as a physical quantity and define its value through measurement of the permeability coefficient. The paper analyses whether some parts of the Directive, as landfill design BAT and base for national legislative acts, require further elaboration in order to provide sufficient information about proper protection of soil and water. Using integrated approach, seven amendments on the directive annex I were suggested related to (a) the meaning of the term artificially established geological barrier, (b) layer thickness