In order to ensure economic and technical feasibility as well as
safety for both public and the environment; locations, technologies
and capacities of hazardous waste processing and disposal facilities
need to be carefully selected. In the course of the decision-making
process, sources that might create multiple types of hazardous
wastes with diverse characteristics should be considered. Further;
the type, location, size of waste transfer, treatment and disposal
facilities and shipment routes should be determined. In the plan-
ning phase, it is crucial to recognize the above complications to
comprehend aspects that differentiate HW management from non-
HW management. Similarly, while modeling a HWMS, simplifying
assumptions that may contradict the nature of HW management or
its underlying principles, including the precautionary, proximity,
waste hierarchy and polluter-pays should be avoided.
Aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model that is
capable of representing a complex HWMS, which takes cost and
risks of HW management operations and their trade-offs into ac-
count. This model intends to present a better understanding of the
practical concerns of HW management and be applicable to exis-
tent HWMSs. During development of the conceptual model, a
number of aspects including waste classes, waste management
principles, and waste-to-technology compatibilities were taken
into consideration. Based on our conceptual model; we develop a
multi-objective mixed integer location/routing model for a national
HWMS. This model is capable of determining HW transportation
routes, facility locations and capacities. Effects of different HW
management strategies and stakeholder priorities can be assessed
through scenario development and comparison. To test its effec-
tiveness, the model is applied to Turkey to plan an economical and
safe HWMS. Within the scope of the case study, minimum cost,
environmental risk, population risk and total risk scenarios are
evaluated.