Smart Waste Management For Zero-Waste Urban Future: Gis- Enabled Optimization Of Municipal Solid Waste Collection

Abstract

Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria, faces significant inefficiencies in household waste management, including fragmented collection routes, vehicle incompatibility, and organisational weaknesses, resulting in high operational costs and service gaps. This study aimed to optimise waste collection through digital transformation, focusing on route reorganisation, fleet rationalisation, and infrastructure harmonisation to reduce costs and improve service quality. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining spatial analysis (GIS), stakeholder interviews, field observations, and operational data review. Diagnostic phase analysis identified inefficiencies, followed by an optimisation scenario featuring route restructuring, vehicle reselection, and container redistribution. Optimisation reduced annual operational costs by 36% (47.6 million DA), primarily through streamlined personnel, strategic vehicle deployment (24m³/18m³/12m³ compactors), and minimised non-productive travel. Collection efficiency increased by 33% (average yield: 1.82 tonnes/hour), while optimised sectorization enhanced spatial coverage. Integrated logistical restructuring, supported by GIS, significantly enhances cost efficiency and service reliability in resource-constrained urban settings. The savings enable reinvestment in sustainable urban development, demonstrating scalability for similar mid-sized cities in transitional economies.