Operational analysis and optimization of a water-based municipal solid waste management system with hybrid simulation modeling

Waste generation is continuously increasing, like the global population and urbanization. This is accompanied by emissions and externalities, making municipal solid waste management (MSWM) a central subject for sustainable urban development. Therefore, a novel logistics concept of a water-based MSWM system was piloted in Stockholm (Sweden). A recycling barge was used to collect waste, reuse items, and provide reuse items for citizens to take home. A hybrid simulation model based on real-world data from the pilot study is developed in this paper. This combined agent-based and discrete-event model simulates the customers’ and workers’ behavior, including loading operations on the recycling barge, filling a methodological gap in MSWM. The research focuses on elaborating the system boundaries and optimizing the operational processes to evaluate the sustainability and accessibility of the system. The computations with 58 different experimental settings identify capacity limits and determine optimal operational conditions. Further, modifying processes could reduce the number of transports up to 55%. Another added value of the model is the extension beyond the pilot study and its flexible application to procedural changes. Based on the presented findings, implementation in other cities can be enforced and thus increase recycling rates, reduce land use, and save transport kilometers.