Multicriteria spatial model to select landfill sites for solid waste management in Tercha town, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The increase in open dumping and burning of solid waste in Tercha town, Southwest Ethiopia, has become a major environmental and public health concern. This research aims to identify suitable landfill sites for accommodating the increasing amount of solid waste generated as a result of urban expansion in the area. Various criteria such as slope, land use, soil type, distance from settlement, drainage, road, borehole, lithology, and fault were considered to generate a suitability map using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) procedures. The multi-criteria evaluation methodology was applied to identify suitable sites according to the specified decision rules. The results showed that only 1.9% of the study area was highly suitable for a landfill, while 3% was unsuitable, and 34.91% and 60.1% were moderately and less suitable, respectively. From the highly suitable areas, criteria such as distance from the city center, settlement, and size of the landfill were considered, and Landfill site 4 was identified as the most suitable option. The other candidate sites were ranked lower according to the AHPs. Finally, by considering complex physical and socioeconomic factors, a suitable landfill site has been selected. This research provides valuable guidance to local government officials in establishing proper waste disposal regulations and practices.