Identification and evaluation of suitable locations for waste management sites

Placing a sanitary waste management landfill (SWML) has long been a controversial issue and often creates strong public reactions. It is clear that the spatial variability of components and impacts is inherently connected to the process of site selection. The present research initially aims to provide decision-makers with a spatial methodology for the early stages of planning when a number of alternative locations are considered. Geographical information systems (GIS) are being used which can serve as a platform providing to all parties involved in such a process with thematic maps excluding areas unsuitable for SWML. The methodology further assists the decision making at the later stages of planning, when the subjectivity of factors assigned by both planners and consultants is being tested. The methodology allows the sensitivity of the apparent 'best' option to the allocation of weightings to be explored criticising eventually the outcome of conducted studies. Although European legislations have been taken into consideration, the principal motivation of the present research is to examine how the proposed methodology relates to current Greek procedures for siting a SWM landfill. The application of the methodology is illustrated using a case study which is a SWM landfill in West Attica, Greece.