A System Dynamics-Based Approach to Help Understand the Role of Food and Biodegradable Waste Management in Respect of Municipal Waste Management Systems

Abstract

The long-term plan of any city in Japan is to become a material recycling society. The use of all types of municipal waste is essential in maximizing the full potential of material recovery. As such, municipalities are responsible for managing their waste, including food and biodegradable waste (FBW), and this results in some complex schemes. This study uses the system dynamics approach to illustrate and investigate the benefits of separate treatment of FBW. At the same time, to understand the dynamic interactions between all aspects and elements of the current municipal solid waste management system in Oita City. The developed model includes total environmental benefit, motivation to manage waste and resources, and yield from treatment facilities. The result shows that with the introduction of an anaerobic digester (AD) plant for FBW increases the efficiency of incineration. Furthermore, the result indicates that strengthening the regulation of waste sorted and the reduction in the amount of FBW treated in incineration will improve the current system. This study concludes that any policy or regulation less than the proposed result will yield less benefit. Thus, strengthening regulation is a crucial part of the sustainability of FBW management in the long run.