An Optimal C&D Waste Logistics Network Design from Contractors’ Perspective

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the major producers of municipal solid waste. However, the construction sector has not received enough attention by the existing literatures in management system of solid waste. This paper addresses the Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste logistics network optimal design issue based on the features of construction industry from the contractors’ perspective. The purpose of this paper is to provide an optimal C&D waste recycling network decision (RND) model considering the change of construction sites over time. A multi-period and multi-objective mixed integer linear programming model was developed to minimize the cost of C&D waste disposal for contractors, and to minimize the carbon emissions from C&D waste transportation. An application study was conducted to assess the performance of the RND model. Through some sensitive analysis experiments based on immune genetic algorithm, the ways of improving the recycle rate of C&D waste and reducing the carbon emissions were discussed. The findings of this research suggest that:

(1) It is necessary to consider the impact of change of construction sites in designing the C&D waste logistics network;

(2) The government can push contractors to transport the C&D waste to treatment plants by setting the reasonable landfill fee and the right penalty fine for illegal dumping; and

(3) Through making the reasonable carbon tax value, carbon emission can be reduced.

Keywords: C&D waste; logistics network; Carbon emission; Mixed-integer linear programming; Immune genetic algorithm