Identification and selection of suitable landfill sites using GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis in the Peshawar District, Pakistan

Abstract

Managing municipal solid waste (MSW) is indispensable for public health and quality living standards in urban and rural environments. Suitable landfill site selection (LSS) requires the consideration of many diverse criteria. This study uses various environmental, social and economic criteria in a sophisticated multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) within the geographical information system (GIS) and aims to provide a scientific basis for the identification of suitable landfill sites which can efficiently be used for MSW in one of the most urbanized cities (Peshawar district) in Pakistan. The methodology involves pairwise comparisons of the selected and ranked criteria using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). A weighted linear combination (WLC) was applied to generate the most suitable landfill site for MSW disposal within the study area. The results show that approximately 11.4% (14,485.15 ha) and 16.6% (21,211.95 ha) of the total study area are either very highly suitable or highly suitable, 20.8% (26,525.56 ha) area is unsuitable and the remaining areas are either low (27.3%; 34,834.84 ha) or moderately suitable (23.8%; 30,356.84 ha) for the construction of landfill sites. It is recommended that using the proposed landfill sites would have the least consequences of public health risks and environmental degradation.

Landfill Site Selection Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, Remote Sensing Data, and Geographic Information System Tools in Najran City, Saudi Arabia

“…Another study conducted in Iran used a similar approach to determine suitable landfill sites based on factors such as distance from residential areas, distance from rivers, and soil type [71]. In addition, a study conducted in Pakistan used almost the same factors and AHP to determine suitable landfill sites [72]. Ten thematic layers, drainage density, land use, surface slope, elevation, lineament density, normalized difference vegetation index, rainfall, distance from the airport, distance from the road, and soil type, were chosen and weighted for computation of the landfill suitability index [35].…”

Optimal Solid Waste Landfill Site Identification Employing GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Within the Thach That District, Hanoi, Vietnam

“…GIS facilitates the analysis and processing of spatial data, the computation of numerous criteria, and the integration of informational layers, thereby aiding in the identification of optimal landfill locations. Notably, a multitude of studies worldwide have successfully employed GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodologies for solid waste landfill site selection in various countries, including Thailand, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Zambia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, among others [6] [13] and [14].…”

Selection of Suitable Landfill Site for Waste Disposal in Ilorin Metropolis Using Geographical Information System

“…Also, half of the waste generated in this region is currently openly dumped, and the trajectories of waste growth will have vast implications for the environment, health, and economic prosperity [4]. Hence, there is a need for special attention to waste management for a clean environment and better human health particularly in the cities of the developing world as they lack the necessary infrastructure for waste collection and disposal activities where wastes are either openly dumped or deposited in non-sanitary sites which generate toxic leachates and greenhouse gas emissions as a result of poor management causing environmental degradation and global warming [5,6]. In order to avoid these adverse consequences of open dumping of MSW, it is important to manage the waste in a sustainable manner such as suitable landfill site selection which minimizes environmental degradation and public health hazards [6,7].…”