Abstract
This study addresses inefficient garbage collection in Himalayan tourist sites with challenging terrain and insufficient infrastructure. The unique environmental and socioeconomic conditions, rising urbanization, tourism, and population have made source-segregated solid waste collection systems more challenging to adopt. This study uses advanced route optimization methods for this ecologically sensitive region to optimize dry waste collection routes. The goal is to improve waste collection efficiency, reduce environmental consequences, and create a model for comparable waste management issues in other locations. Based on trash management, environmental science, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the study integrates advanced geospatial analysis and route optimization into solid waste management (SWM) frameworks to promote sustainable waste management. A mixed-method approach combines qualitative survey and interview data with quantitative spatial analysis and route optimization model data. Data gathering includes surveys of households and waste management staff to assess waste management awareness and participation and site visits to examine waste collection procedures and identify issues. The analysis also includes GPS tracking of rubbish pickup routes and GIS data on terrain and visitor traffic. Local authority population data and SWM literature from similar regions were studied to contextualize the findings. Capacitated and multi-vehicle routing algorithms establish the best collection routes. Preliminary findings show that the present routes are inadequate, increasing collection times and operational costs. This research provides a practical framework for waste collection in ecologically sensitive tourist locations, emphasizing the need to integrate recycling and waste processing to improve sustainable waste management.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Solid Waste Collection, Route Optimization, Himalayan region, Source Segregation, SWM
