Compilation of Optimal Strategies of Urban Waste Management System by Using SWOT and QSPM; Case Study of City of Sari

Waste management is a multi-disciplinarily process. Internal and external factors including challenges, limiting factors and opportunities should be evaluated to attain an acceptable strategy for waste management. Required data in this research were obtained through filling questioners, interviewing managers and experts in the municipality of Sari, field visit and review of available reports and documents. In this research, 14 important internal factors including 6 strengths and 8 weaknesses for waste management system of Sari were identified. Then Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) Matrix was created. Also, 14 important external factors including 6 opportunities and 8 threats were identified and selected for creating External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix.Based on the results obtained, the final score of the organization in IFE Matrix is equal to 2.53 indicating a fair situation with respect to the internal factors. The final score of EFE Matrix is equal to 2.45 indicating a relatively weak situation with respect to the external factors. Furthermore, SWOT and QSPM were used to develop optimal strategies of waste management system and completing quantitative strategic planning Matrix in city of Sari, respectively.The internal and external factors located in SWOT matrix and results from internal and external evaluation matrix were compared pair-wise and four strategies of SO, WO, ST and WT were determined.Totally, 15 strategies were introduced for the optimal waste management system in city of Sari. In the last phase, QSPM matrix was created from the results of IFE and EFE matrix and SWOT to determine attraction and priorities of selected strategies. The results show that the following superior strategies can be identified for waste management of city of Sari to attain sustainable development with respect to social, economical and environmental development:(1) Rapid development of source separation and programs in order to supply row materials for recycling industries, (2) Development of recycling industries within the City, (3) Creating competitive situation among the existing recycling industries and consequently increase the quality and quantity of separated materials.