Optimization methods for plastics management supply chain design

Abstract

This article introduces three mixed integer programming (MIP) models to address a network design problem for mixed plastic waste (MPW) supply chains. By tracking waste compositions throughout the supply chain, the models optimize the technologies needed to process MPW. The three models adopt different approaches to preserve composition information in the supply chain. We also remark on how to improve solution times with additional constraints, and how the models can be easily modified to handle larger-scale problems. The proposed models provide an approach for examining emerging MPW recycling technologies that may be more sensitive to input composition, as well as determining the extent to which advanced sorting is useful.