Metaheuristic optimization of waste management in circular economy

Abstract

The growing need for sustainable waste management has driven the adoption of circular economy principles to reduce environmental impact and resource depletion. This thesis develops a model for integrating these principles to optimize waste collection. Using the Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization (DPSO) algorithm, the study addresses the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) with capacity and time window constraints, and extends it to a Multi-Period Vehicle Routing Problem (MPVRP) for enhanced accuracy. By applying this model to real-world scenarios, we demonstrate its potential to significantly improve operational efficiency in waste management practices.