Waste Management by
Route Optimization
Our research on route optimization for waste management applies statistical and mathematical techniques from optimization and operations research to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. By optimizing waste collection routes, we decrease fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and traffic congestion. This initiative introduces mechanisms to support waste management while advancing climate action and sustainability. It aligns with global goals to combat climate change, promote sustainable urban development, and build a resilient, eco-friendly future.
Abstract
Efficient waste collection and transportation are critical for urban solid waste management, yet many municipalities in Sri Lanka, including Colombo City, struggle with inefficient routing, increased operational costs, and environmental impacts. This study focuses on optimizing waste collection routes in Kuppiyawatha East, Colombo District, Sri Lanka, using Dijkstra’s Algorithm to minimize the total distance travelled while ensuring complete coverage of all waste collection points. A distance matrix was constructed based on real-world locations, and the algorithm iteratively processed nodes to determine the most efficient path. The optimized route covered all required nodes with a total travel distance of 3,450 meters, demonstrating a significant improvement over unstructured routing method. The findings highlight the effectiveness of mathematical modelling in waste transportation optimization, with implications for reducing fuel consumption, labour costs, and environmental emissions. This research provides a data-driven approach to improving waste collection efficiency in Colombo City, offering a foundation for sustainable urban waste management practices in Sri Lanka.
