A causal municipal solid waste management model for sustainable cities in Vietnam under uncertainty: A comparison

Abstract

There are existing inadequate and ineffective practices that are not only common in Vietnam but also explicit in each municipal area. This study compares the municipal solid waste management attributes of cities in Vietnam under uncertainty. The uncertainties include the interrelationships among the attributes, linguistic preferences and qualitative information on the attributes. This study applies exploratory factor analysis to test the validity and reliability of the proposed attributes. Fuzzy set theory is used to translate the linguistic references into the qualitative attributes of municipal solid waste management. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory is used to address the interrelationships among the attributes. This study identifies the causal interrelationships among attributes using qualitative information, and a set of 14 attributes is defined and found to be valid and reliable for measurement. The results show that technical integration and social acceptability are the aspects that drive municipal solid waste management. Treatment innovations, safety and health, economic benefits, and technology functionality and appropriateness are determined to be the linkage criteria. The distinctions between cities are identified, Hanoi focuses on the institutional and organizational administration framework, whereas resource efficiency is an aspect of specific concern in Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City prioritized financial and operational requirements and facilities and infrastructure requirements. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.