Solid waste disposal in rural Arizona: application of a least- cost model

Published in 1974

Solid waste has become a significant pollution problem in recent years. To meet this problem, unsanitary systems of solid waste disposal are being changed by governments and by concerned individuals. The changes required for operation of a sanitary disposal system for solid waste are likely to be costly for communities. Therefore, these communities have a need for a least-cost solution to their solid waste problem. It is the objective of this study to design a least-cost decision making model and apply the model to a rural area. The model considers the costs of establishing and operating a collection service and disposal site, and considers all possible combinations of sites and site-source assignments in designating the least-cost system. Greenlee County is selected as the study area. A least-cost system of solid waste disposal is determined for the study area given a selection of possible disposal site locations and the costs involved in setting up and operating a solid waste management system. The model specifies the least-cost facility selection, the source assignments, and the total cost of the least-cost system of solid waste disposal. An analysis of the sensitivity of the least-cost solution to changes in administrative arrangements and the cost variables used to determine the least-cost solution is also made.

AZU_TD_BOX276_E9791_1974_135.pdf (2.06 MB)

Author(s)

Publication Date