The household packaging sector: from technical and economic modelling to the development of a decision-support tool for collectivities and operators

Abstract

The selective collection of packaging waste was developed in France during the last decade. The various organisational scenarios implemented accentuate the amplitude and the increase of costs. The local authorities wonder about the organization and the level of the service provided to the citizens and seek to control their costs. So, the need is felt for a decision-making aid tool to find out the economic impact of each modification on the packaging waste management stream organization. The recognition of the multiplicity of variables has led us towards the techno-economic modelling of the stream. A preliminary technical modelling translates the intensity use of production factors (personnel, equipment). Economic modelling is based on the economic theory and the know-how of a major operator in solid waste management by using case-study data. The models are translated in a data-processing simulation tool. So, with this tool, the decision makers have a comparator to evaluate the economic consequences of their choices, either compared to their current situation, or to project itself in the medium term in order to modify their collection and sorting organization of packaging waste.