Environmental sustainability has become an urgent priority worldwide, and the management of corrugated waste, particularly old corrugated cardboard (OCC), plays a significant role. New research outlines an innovative approach to waste management using non-linear transportation systems built on the principles of the circular economy. This model not only highlights the importance of recycling but also aims to minimize ecological impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions and transportation costs.
The study introduces a groundbreaking non-linear transportation framework which strategically tackles the issue of corrugated waste. The key objectives of this research include optimizing transportation expenses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving overall travel time. By implementing state-of-the-art methodologies based on the Fermatean bipolar hesitant fuzzy logic and integrating them with the circular economy approach, the findings suggest this comprehensive strategy could revolutionize waste management.
Research conducted by the authors emphasizes how traditional methods have been inadequate to address the complexity of modern waste management challenges. They argue for the necessity of transitioning to non-linear models which reflect fluctuations and uncertainties inherent to current supply chain logistics. The integration of the circular economy is pivotal, emphasizing recycling, reusing, and reducing waste.
Corrugated materials have wide applications, particularly as shipping containers. Their affordability and effectiveness have led to their ubiquitous presence across various sectors. Nonetheless, improper disposal accelerates environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for enhanced recycling methods. Indeed, OCC is categorized as non-hazardous waste; nonetheless, its bulkiness and slow decomposition rates pose significant environmental challenges.
One of the study's groundbreaking approaches is the formulation of the Time-sequential Fermatean bipolar hesitant fuzzy set (TS-FBHFS). This novel framework allows for a nuanced depiction of uncertainty and decision-making dynamics over time, which is particularly relevant for this study. Managerial insights provided within the research highlight the importance of acknowledging various perspectives and uncertainties faced by decision-makers within waste management.
For example, the TS-FBHFS incorporates both positive and negative membership degrees (MDs) which enable comprehensive analysis and decision-making. This enhanced toolkit is necessary for addressing the vagueness and ambiguity associated with real-world scenarios, particularly those involving waste management.
To assess the viability of the proposed model, the researchers conducted case studies, demonstrating how these transport methodology frameworks perform under various market conditions. The results showed significant benefits both economically and environmentally. For transport expenses, the optimized values reached figures such as $6,178,094.42, alongside reductions in greenhouse gases and improvements to travel times.
A sensitivity analysis explored how variations within the model parameters affected the resulting outcomes. Consistently, results indicated enhancements across primary goals of transportation expenses, greenhouse gas emissions, and transit times, proving the robustness of the proposed non-linear methodology.
Overall, researchers assert this methodology not only champions recycling of OCC but reinforces the role of sustainable practices within transportation and waste management frameworks. They believe it paves the way toward achieving environmentally friendly waste management systems.
The adaptation of this model reflects broader global movements toward sustainability, urging industries and stakeholders to reconsider their waste management practices. Future research is expected to expand upon these findings, refining the approaches to incorporate other materials and efficiencies, pushing the boundaries of existing waste management strategies.