Sustainable Optimization of Urban Solid Waste Collection Routes in A Semiarid Region of Brazil: An Environmental Assessment Using the Integration of LCA and GIS

ABSTRACT Given the increasing generation of urban solid waste (USW), concerns about the environmental impacts of its transportation have intensified. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely employed to evaluate these impacts. One way to achieve significant improvements in waste collection and transport systems is through route optimization. However, existing literature rarely combines route optimization with an assessment of the associated environmental impacts. This study proposes an effective method to optimize USW collection routes, using data from the urban area of Cajazeiras, a city in northeastern Brazil, and applying geographic information system (GIS) tools. The results demonstrate the benefits of optimizing the current collection route and designing a new route, focusing on reducing travel distances, greenhouse gas emissions, and fuel costs. Key findings include: (1) a 37.70% reduction in travel distances and fuel costs through route optimization; (2) an 82.5% decrease in CO 2 emissions when implementing a new route, which increases the amount of waste sent for recycling by approximately fivefold compared to conventional disposal methods. These results highlight the potential for sustainable waste management through strategic route planning. The key policy implication of this work could be the adoption of GIS‐based route optimization; for example, local municipal governments should integrate GIS tools into waste management systems to minimize distances, fuel use, and emissions. At the national level, policies could fund GIS training for waste management agencies in developing cities. At the micro level, governments should incentivize recycling programs by subsidizing infrastructure.