Constructing an evaluation system for the whole process of urban domestic waste disposal technology in high-altitude areas based on multiple analysis methods: Taking Lhasa as an example

Abstract

Cities in alpine and high-altitude regions are subject to technical, environmental and economic constraints, and there are problems such as imperfect evaluation systems and immature methods for domestic waste disposal technology, which urgently require the establishment of a scientifically perfect evaluation system. This study takes Lhasa as an example and uses comparative analysis, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), ArcGIS, mathematical model and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation methods to construct the evaluation system covering the whole process of ‘classification-transfer-transportation-disposal’. Considering the progress of waste classification in Lhasa, optimization measures such as regular collection and transportation, establishment of transfer and sorting centres and on-site resource treatment are needed. Based on the ArcGIS simulation analysis and actual transfer demand, three new transfer stations were planned, and it was found that the new transfer stations could significantly reduce transfer distances of urban-suburban routes by 45.91%, labour costs by 50.00% and total CO_2-eq emissions by 10.42%. Moreover, the AHP and fuzzy logic method were employed to establish an evaluation system for waste incineration power generation technology. Utilizing these methods, the comprehensive score assigned to the Lhasa waste incineration power generation technology was determined to be 91.97, thereby verifying the feasibility of the evaluation system and indicating that the technology is the leading one in China. However, environmental friendliness and economic feasibility still need improvements. This study provides a scientific basis for the decision-making process of efficient management of domestic waste in alpine and high-altitude regions.