Using multi criteria decision making approach for municipal solid waste landfill siting in Yasouj

In most multi criteria decision making issues, a desirable alternative which suit all aspects does not exist. In current assessment methods, after considering all criteria, the advantages and disadvantages of the best alternative remain imperceptible. The objective of this study was to present a simple approach for such decision making cases. The approach was applied to select an appropriate municipal solid waste landfill for Yassouj city. In the first stage, the unsuitable areas based on Iran`s environmental protection organization (IEPO) were omitted. In the next stage, the remaining alternatives were ranked by AHP method within environmental, economic and social perspectives. The results indicated that the most suitable alternative was different among three separated objectives compares to the obtained result in just one hierarchy. The alternative 2 was the most suitable site based on overall results in one hierarchy. Although this alternative had the most priority in environmental and social goals, in economical aspect its acceptance was seemed to be unexpected. In contrast with alternative 2, alternative 1 had the most priority in economic aspect, but covered second rank in environmental and social goals. in MCDA issues such as landfill siting, considering local goals would lead to more practical results.