Spatial analysis of appropriate waste separation stations in Bangkok

Abstract

This study aimed to find factors for the appropriate area and suitable area to establish municipal solid waste separation station (MSWSS) in Bangkok and to propose recommendations for municipal solid waste management and MSWSS establishment in Bangkok. The methodology included a literature review and semi-structured interview to determine significant difficulties in Bangkok municipal waste management, AHP analysis to assess the significant factors and spatial analysis to determine the suitable location of MSWSS.

The study found 11 factors in 4 main aspects such as physical (land use, distance from main waste disposal center, area size), economic (fuel cost, land price, number of waster truck), social (population density, proximity to community, waste sorting behavior), and environmental aspects (distance from a water resource, flood area). The top 5 important factors are fuel cost, waste sorting behavior, land cost, distance from the community, and the number of the Municipal Solid Waste Collection Truck (MSWT). The result of weight that is represented in percent 12.76%, 12.34%, 11.23%, 11.21, 11.21, and 10.68%, respectively. The selected spatial factors were applied for spatial analysis to determine suitable MSWSS location. The analysis of the MSWSS location showed that there were 4 classes of suitable are highly suitable area, moderately suitable area, a marginally suitable area, and an unsuitable area, covering 5.62%, 14.12%, 2.87% and 77% of BMA area, respectively. The study proposed scenarios for Khlong Sam Wa district, which were the LLM and LMMM scenarios, L and M represent the large size and medium size of MSWSS.

General recommendations for MSW management in Bangkok were MSWSS establishments, enhancing waste collection ability, enhancing communication with community, 3Rs principle promotion. In order to promote MSWSS establishment, the decision support system with an effective tool for executives should be set up systematically with updated and dynamic data.

Keywords: GIS, municipal solid waste, waste separation station, Bangkok, AHP