Optimization of municipal solid waste collection system: systematic review with bibliometric literature analysis

Abstract Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) requires significant planning and objective definitions of each of its stages. Waste collection and transportation stages are of utmost importance, and they represent a significant cost of the process. In this context, a systematic study using bibliometric analysis was conducted, seeking to identify and understand the applied methodologies and tools, as well as which parameters and approaches are employed to optimize the solid urban waste collection system. The analysis portfolio features 12 publications, focusing on the optimization of municipal solid waste (MSW) collection systems, mostly with the aim of optimizing routes for transporting waste from the collection points to the final destination, with the goal of reducing the costs of this stage. Results highlight how these studies only consider as optimization criteria the reduction of the travelled distance and lack other dimensions (such as an environmental impact perspective). Some of the studies demonstrate the vital role of technology in optimizing the waste collection operation, from the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to using sensors or smart bins. Future research efforts should widen the scope of what is considered in optimizing the waste collection system.