Investigating and Presenting the Optimal Alternative for Managing and Disposing Landfill Leachate in Iran Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process

Background. In most developing countries, concern about leachate pollution is serious. This study aimed to determine the best alternative for leachate management and disposal using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Methods. In this descriptive-applied research, the criteria and alternatives for leachate management and disposal were selected, including evaporation pond (natural with sunlight), recirculation/evaporation, and treatment (physical and chemical, biological/advanced). Then, three criteria and 11 sub-criteria were selected. The criteria and sub-criteria were weighted, using the Expert Choice 11 software and compared two by two to determine the relative importance of each. Then, each of the alternatives was compared and prioritized two by two in relation to the criteria and sub-criteria. Results. The results of the study showed that the evaporation pond (natural with sunlight) was the most preferable alternative with an importance coefficient of 0.569. The alternative of recycling/evaporation and treatment (physical and chemical, biological/advanced) with an importance factor equal to 0.216 was placed in the next priority. The consistency ratio (CR) of all the paired matrices of the alternatives was equal and less than 0.1. Conclusion. By considering the economic, technical, operating, health, and environmental criteria, the evaporation pond method (natural with sunlight) was chosen as the best method for managing and disposing landfill leachate in Iran. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the alternative of leachate management in landfills, especially considering the climatic conditions of the country (90% dry and semi-arid climate).