Application of Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Technique for the Selection of a more Sustainable Waste Management Technique

Abstract

Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste has been described as one of the most challenging environmental problems facing cities in most developing countries because of the risks to human health and the general environment. Ineffective solid waste management is a problem plaguing the environments of urban dwellings in Nigeria including Benin City. The focus of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of MCDA using AHP technique for the selection of a more sustainable solid waste management practice.The study took a comprehensive evaluation of the solid waste composition in seven major communities in Benin City; Edo State Nigeria. The communities include; Evbuotubu, Ekenwan, Ikpoba- Hill, Ogbebuya, New Benin Oko-Central and Ugbowo. Solid waste survey/ collection using the stratified random sampling approach was done on a daily bases for a period of eight (8) weeks in order to generate enough data for specific analysis. To study the presence of variability in the composition of solid waste from community to community, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was employed while the Partial Eta Square of the Pillai’s trace statistics was used to determine the magnitude of variability. Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach was employed to select the best solid waste disposal method taking into account the prevailing factors of influenced such as; economic factors, technical factors, social factors and environmental factors.Result of multivariate analysis of variance revealed that; about 98.9% of variability exists in the composition of solid waste from Ikpoba-Hill and New Benin while 82.60% variability exists in the composition of solid waste from Evbuotubu and Ekenwan. With an index of coherence (IC) of less than 10 (IC < 10), it was concluded that the comparison tables generated by evaluator A, B, C, D and E are valid. From the computation, mechanical/biological treatment (MBT) method with a total score of 74.21, 70.66, 74.30, 74.13 and 71.69 according to Evaluator A, B, C, D and E was acclaimed the best solid waste disposal option followed by recycling with a total score of 50.25, 49.61, 47.40, 48.05 and 46.52 according to Evaluator A, B, C, D and E respectively.

Keywords: Waste Characterization, Multivariate Analysis, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Sustainable Waste Management.

DOI: 10.7176/CER/14-5-03

Publication date:August 31^st 2022