Application of system dynamics modeling for evaluation of different recycling scenarios in Singapore

The influence of socioeconomic factors, such as population and rapid economic growth, and the change of consumption and living patterns make waste management in Singapore, a complex issue. Due to limited land and resources, the solid waste management scheme requires a comprehensive approach. Therefore, system dynamics (SD) modeling was applied to assess alternative strategies for solid waste management by interconnecting landfill capacity and recycling efficiency with reference to the projection on waste generation. Nine different scenarios were investigated to identify the best approach to maintain environmental sustainability without inhibiting the economic growth. Four subsystems (i.e., population, economy, waste recycling, and waste disposal) have been incorporated into the SD model to broaden the effectiveness of the waste management system. Research findings revealed that a high economic pattern and a high recycling rate are recommended to satisfy the requirements for economic growth and environmental sustainability while extending landfill capacity for waste disposal. Even though the balance of expenditure could be increased by the high recycling rate, it meets the need for long-term incineration and landfill planning.

[1]  Haifeng Li,et al.  Modeling and dynamic assessment of urban economy–resource–environment system with a coupled system dynamics – geographic information system model , 2011 .

[2]  Masaru Tanaka,et al.  A system dynamics approach for hospital waste management. , 2008, Waste management.

[3]  Ruth Marzi,et al.  Application of system dynamics and fuzzy logic to forecasting of municipal solid waste , 2002, Math. Comput. Simul..

[4]  K. Stave.  A system dynamics model to facilitate public understanding of water management options in Las Vegas, Nevada. , 2003, Journal of environmental management.

[5]  Yaman Barlas,et al.  A dynamic model of salinization on irrigated lands , 2001 .

[6]  C T Haas,et al.  Application of system dynamics for developing financially self-sustaining management policies for water and wastewater systems. , 2011, Water research.

[7]  Ni-Bin Chang,et al.  Forecasting municipal solid waste generation in a fast-growing urban region with system dynamics modeling. , 2005, Waste management.

[8]  Fei Li,et al.  A system dynamics model for analyzing the eco-agriculture system with policy recommendations , 2012 .

[9]  V. S. Rotter,et al.  A system dynamics model for evaluating the alternative of type in construction and demolition waste recycling center – The case of Chongqing, China , 2011 .

[10]  Tiange Shi,et al.  Developing effective policies for the sustainable development of ecological agriculture in China: the case study of Jinshan County with a systems dynamics model ☆ , 2005 .

[11]  Dongqing Zhang,et al.  A comparison of municipal solid waste management in Berlin and Singapore. , 2010, Waste management.

[12]  Yaman Barlas,et al.  Dynamic modelling of a shallow freshwater lake for ecological and economic sustainability , 2003 .

[13]  Hong Yang,et al.  System dynamics simulation model for assessing socio-economic impacts of different levels of environmental flow allocation in the Weihe River Basin, China , 2012, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[14]  Renbi Bai,et al.  The practice and challenges of solid waste management in Singapore. , 2002, Waste management.

[15]  Bo Song,et al.  Scenarios simulation on municipal plastic waste generation of different functional areas of Beijing , 2012 .

[16]  Madhab C. Bora,et al.  Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling , 1994 .

[17]  Huan Feng,et al.  A system dynamic modeling approach for evaluating municipal solid waste generation, landfill capacity and related cost management issues. , 2010, Waste management.

[18]  Elina Dace,et al.  System dynamics model for analyzing effects of eco-design policy on packaging waste management system , 2014 .

[19]  Lawrence C. Bank,et al.  Use of system dynamics as a decision-making tool in building design and operation , 2010 .

[20]  Prem Vrat,et al.  Application of a system dynamics approach for assessment and mitigation of CO2 emissions from the cement industry. , 2006, Journal of environmental management.

[21]  Bill Karakostas,et al.  Unifying business objects and system dynamics as a paradigm for developing decision support systems , 2004, Decis. Support Syst..