International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—Proponents of initiatives for solid waste management require tools to assess the efficiency of their programs both environmentally and from the economic and social perspectives, and thus take the appropriate decisions to improve the performance. The objective of this study was to develop an assessment tool through a set of indicators integrated into a model that measures the effectiveness in which programs operate with solid waste management. The methodology consisted in adjusting performance indicators for waste management programs into a Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model. The most relevant indicators were chosen through a selection process that included opinions from experts, literature review based on relevance and applicability to different waste program settings. Eighteen indicators were selected and fitted into the DPSIR model. The model has indicators for causes, pressure, state, impact and response, where the status of each criterion is evaluated. This model will help decision makers optimize the performance of their waste management programs.

Index Terms—complex systems, indicators, program performance, waste management.

Adriana Puma is with the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. (e-mail: adrypuch@gmail.com)
Carolina Armijo is with the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Faculty of Engineering, Achitecture and Design. Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. (e-mail: carmijo@uabc.edu.mx)
Sara Ojeda is with the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC), Institute of Engineering, Blvd. Benito Juárez and Calle de la Normal s/ n Col. Insurgentes Este. CP. 21280 Mexicali, B. C., Mexico. (e-mail: sara.ojeda.benitez@uabc.edu.mx)

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Cite: Adriana Puma Chavez, Carolina Armijo de Vega and Sara Ojeda Benitez, "Measuring Progress of Waste Management Programs," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 372-376, 2011.