A Comprehensive Framework for Selecting Waste-to-Energy Technologies in Iran: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc., Department of Industrial Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran,

2 Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran,

3 Ph.D., in Economics, Director General of Mining Industry and Trade of Yazd Province, Yazd, Iran.

Abstract

Sustainable energy supply is a critical challenge in developing countries, particularly Iran, where fossil fuels dominate energy production. The environmental consequences of fossil fuel reliance, including greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, underscore the need for alternative energy sources. Municipal solid waste (MSW) represents a significant biomass resource with potential for energy generation, offering a dual solution to waste management and energy needs. This study aims to evaluate six waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies—incineration (INC), gasification (GAS), plasma (PL), landfill gas (LFG), pyrolysis (PYR), and anaerobic digestion (AD)—using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. Four sustainability dimensions—economic, environmental, social, and technical—were assessed through twelve sub-criteria, employing the Best-Worst Method (BWM) for weighting and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS) method for ranking the technologies. The results suggest that landfill gas is the most suitable WtE technology for Iran, providing optimal waste volume reduction and significant potential for renewable energy generation This study provides a strategic framework aimed at improving waste management and fostering sustainable energy production in Iran, thereby facilitating the shift from a linear economy to a circular one.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Advances in Industrial Engineering
Volume 59, Issue 2
December 2025
Pages 321-342

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