A goal programming model for paper recycling system

The conflict between economic optimization and environmental protection has received wide attention in recent research programs for waste management system planning. This has also resulted in a set of new waste management goals in reverse logistics system planning. The purpose of this analysis is to formulate a mixed integer goal programming (MIGP) model to assist in proper management of the paper recycling logistics system. The model studies the inter-relationship between multiple objectives (with changing priorities) of a recycled paper distribution network. The objectives considered are reduction in reverse logistics cost; product quality improvement through increased segregation at the source; and environmental benefits through increased wastepaper recovery. The proposed model also assists in determining the facility location, route and flow of different varieties of recyclable wastepaper in the multi-item, multi-echelon and multi-facility decision making framework. The use of the model has been illustrated through a problem of paper recycling in India. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.