Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Methods for Siting Energy Generation from Municipal Solid Waste: A Systematic Mini Review

Based on the Environmental Protection Agency, effective steps in municipal solid waste (MSW) management in preference order are waste source reduction, recycling and composting, incineration, and waste-to-energy action (WtE). WtE action is considered a beneficial solution as it works to reduce waste and harvest energy. An important step in establishing an energy generation from MSW is choosing a suitable location by considering various aspects and criteria. However, siting energy generation from MSW is a time-consuming and complex process in MSW management. A total of 32 criteria, generated by 5 aspects (environmental, economic, social, safety, and technical), were reviewed and described. Furthermore, the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was involved in making the appropriate site selection protocol. Based on the investigation, the most widely used criteria for selecting an energy generation site is the distance from major road. In contrast, the criteria of flooding area, distance from fault, social acceptability, and job creation are still not used. This gap provides instructions to scientists as an opportunity as well as a novelty for future research. In addition, the recommended MCDA methods with the best to the least good performance sequentially are analytical network process, analytical hierarchy process, Fuzzy, and weighted linear combination. Thus, this comprehensive information is crucial for policymakers so that the selection for suitable energy generation sites can run fairly, accurately, effectively, and efficiently.