Fuzzy AHP approach for prioritizing electronic waste management options: a case study of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Electronic waste (E-waste) can be considered as challenging solid waste streams especially in some developing countries, including Iran. Several alternatives for collecting and processing E-waste have been developed and applied throughout the world. In this research, a model was developed according to fuzzy-AHP approach for the evaluation of different alternatives for E-waste’s collection and processing in Tehran, Iran. Three alternatives for processing section (including recycling, exporting, landfilling) and three alternatives for collection section (door-to-door, special event, permanent drop-off) were studied in terms of different economic, social, technical, and environmental criteria. To establish a database in the current research, a questionnaire survey was performed and then the relative importance of each alternative in terms of each criterion was evaluated. The obtained results indicated that in the section of collection and processing of E-waste, permanent drop-off and recycling have the highest priorities among studied alternatives, respectively. Also, economic and environmental criteria were determined as the most significant ones in collection and processing sections, respectively. Furthermore, the developed model can be considered as a practical tool that will help the decision makers to determine the most appropriate E-waste management alternatives when diverse criteria are partially or completely in conflict.