Successful operation of solid waste management systems frequently depends on accurate
predictions of solid waste generation. Conventional prediction models are usually estimated
based on demographic and socioeconomic factors in a per-capita basis. The per-capita
coefficients may be taken as fixed over time or they may be projected to change with time.
However, time series data of solid waste generation consist of observations made over a
number of years at the same location. By analyzing time series data, forecasters can identify
trends embedded in solid waste generation over time and can develop hypotheses regarding
the policy change or the continuation of these trends into the future. At present, the impacts
of recycling activities has received wide attention at different levels of government agency
and the effect of successful recycling programs inevitably adds more uncertainties in the
prediction of solid waste generation. This analysis applies time series intervention modeling
to evaluate recycling impacts on solid waste generation. A demonstration of how this
forecasting information can be used for the capacity evaluation of incinerators in Taipei City
of Taiwan is also included in this paper.