Solving the Recyclable Household Waste Bin Location–Allocation Problem: A Case Study of the Commune of Quinta Normal in Santiago, Chile

The estimated increase in urban solid waste generation in the near future worldwide may negatively impact the environment and public health, and produce a significant economic impact on solid waste management. Recycling is crucial in mitigating this solid waste generation growth by diverting materials from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, conserving resources, and extending end-of-life strategies. In this study, we address the bin location–allocation problem for the collection of recyclable household waste, a key challenge in the context of the circular economy and efforts to mitigate the sustained growth of household waste generation. To tackle this problem, this study generalizes a previous mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to address different types of waste, particularly recyclable household waste, while minimizing total bin costs and ensuring that each generation point is assigned to the nearest collection site within a given threshold travel distance. Additionally, the model compares single and multi-stream collection strategies. For each case, we evaluate the options of locating recycling bins at road intersections and in open public spaces. Real-world data from the commune of Quinta Normal in Santiago, Chile is used to test our approach. This study also reports results of a sensitivity analysis of key parameters, including the generated household recyclable waste and the maximum distances users are willing to travel to dispose of their recyclable waste. Finally, managerial implications that emerge from this study are discussed, which may help authorities improve recyclable household waste collection, and outline future research directions.