Open source GIS and solid waste management in low and middle-income countries: an application for Lebanon

The discussion presented in this paper is about the development of a simple procedure which integrates data collection and spatial analysis to provide a practical support for solid waste management (SWM). The procedure will be based on the use of free open source software (FOSS) geographical information system (GIS). The reasons for the research are explained as follows. Solid waste management (SWM) in low and middle-low income countries represents a big issue, which can seriously affect both environment and health. A big burden to the improvement of solid waste management systems, in many cases, can be the economic burden, due to the lack of funds. Between the different stages a SWM system is divided into, waste collection and transport is one of the most expensive in terms of money, and has an environmental impacts in terms of fuel consumption and pollution. For these reasons, find strategies to optimize this and other stages of SWM is important. Chalkias and Lasaridi (2011) explained very well the importance of the use of GIS in the optimization of the SWM system and presented many case studies, which refers to waste production and distribution, route optimization, and proper location of waste facilities and landfill sites. Most of presented case studies are based on the use of proprietary software, and this can represent a limit with reference to the accessibility of the software itself. FOSS has been consequently identified as a tool which can be easily accessed, with no costs, and the capability to be modified to fit the needs of the local context. The potential of FOSS, which does not only refers to be free of charge, has been widely discussed in literature, together with its points of weakness (Câmara and Fonseca, 2006). Of course, some difficulties have been found in the implementation and use of FOSS (Øverland, 2010) in low income countries, and issues mentioned in literature should be taken into account. Nonetheless, the last years have seen a considerable improvement in the potential and usability of GIS open sources, which should be acknowledged. The discussed procedure has been consequently development with a open source and open data approach. Many importance have been given also to the accessibility of geographical information, for example considering OpenStreetMaps (and not only) as a relevant tool. A result of the application of this procedure to a Municipality in the South of Lebanon will be finally presented. This application is part of a wider research, which is still on-going. This presentation aims to rise comments and suggestions which will represent an appreciate contribution to the research.