GIS-MCDM integrated approach for suitable landfill site selection: a case study of the southwestern part of Bejaia Province, Algeria

Selecting optimal landfill sites is a critical challenge in household waste management. In response to the environmental issues posed by open dumps in southwestern Bejaia province, this study adopts an integrated GIS-MCDM approach to identify suitable locations for new landfill sites. Initially, key environmental and socio-economic criteria were determined through a review of national regulations, expert opinions, and relevant literature. Fourteen factors, categorized into physiological and geological, hydrological and climatic, land use, and accessibility criteria, were then evaluated using freely available data processed within a GIS framework. Moreover, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was employed to assign weights to each factor based on its significance and compliance with regulatory and environmental standards. Finally, the identification of optimal landfill sites was determined by calculating the landfill site suitability index (LSSI), revealing that 0.48% of the area is highly suitable for landfilling, 66.79% is moderately suitable, 28.25% has low suitability, and 4.48% is unsuitable for landfill implementation. Furthermore, in the highly suitable category, 13 candidate sites were initially identified as suitable for landfill installation; further prioritization was conducted based on waste quantity per commune, population density, site area, distance from waste production centers, and accessibility. Following a detailed evaluation, four final sites were deemed optimal for landfill construction in the study area. These findings provide valuable insights for authorities and stakeholders in managing household waste disposal in Bejaia province. Future assessments should include additional criteria, evaluate long-term environmental impacts, and consider public acceptance to ensure sustainable waste management in the region.