The Application of Genetic Algorithm for the Optimization of Solid Waste Management System in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Solid waste has turned out to be a global challenge facing Port Harcourt cosmopolis. A justifiable solid waste handling structure which secures environmental safety and human health becomes a critical target for Port Harcourt cosmopolis. Waste management is about the assembling, conveying and disposal of waste from the factors that generates the waste. Over 60% of resources for waste management is waste spent on the collection and evacuation phase, hence optimizing this phase is crucial. The study aims to use Genetic Algorithm methodology to deal with the nonlinear optimization model to maximize the reliability of the system with operation cost, fixed cost, vehicles of different capacities, taking into cognizance past data from Rivers state waste management agency and related literatures. The algorithm was tested in a simplified real case study from 2016 to 2020 of Port Harcourt cosmopolis to optimize the operation cost required to operate the heterogonous fleet of vehicles for waste disposal. The probability plot shows reliability numbers of 93% for 2016, 91% for 2017, 90% for 2018, 91% for 2019 and 89% for 2020 scenarios. These results revealed scenarios with more trucks and higher capacity with lesser waste load tend to have a higher reliability than scenarios with the same waste load or more. Pursuing this goal which pertains to solving the optimization problem using genetic algorithm, was accomplished. It is therefore recommended that Genetic Algorithm optimization technique should be considered as an alternative applicable to maximize the reliability of the system regarding the arrangement of diverse types of vehicles for waste management system.