Article: The application of a mathematical model of sustainability to the results of an environmental impact assessment of the Russeifa landfill, Jordan Journal: International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP) 2012 Vol.49 No.3/4 pp.137 - 160 Abstract: The question of whether landfills are or could be sustainable is somewhat unanswered within the sphere of waste management. This is partly due to two key issues: the ambiguities concerning what is sustainability?; and how to effectively assess the potential or actual sustainability of a landfill? It has been argued in the literature that this is a difficult task, however it is not impossible. This paper consequently presents the application of a mathematical model of sustainability to the results obtained for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the Russeifa landfill in Jordan using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) methodology. This paper demonstrates the methodology necessary to apply the model to the RIAM evaluation made at the time of assessment with respect to potential mitigation options. A determination of the level and nature of sustainability (if appropriate) for the project options were obtained for the Russeifa landfill. The results indicated that all of project options evaluated could be considered as unsustainable. This paper concludes by stating that the application of the model to the RIAM analysis offers a potential mechanism in evaluating sustainability through the use of a common and increasingly regarded technique of EIA. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The application of a mathematical model of sustainability to the results of an environmental impact assessment of the Russeifa landfill, Jordan

Authors: Jason Phillips

Addresses: Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter – Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK

Abstract: The question of whether landfills are or could be sustainable is somewhat unanswered within the sphere of waste management. This is partly due to two key issues: the ambiguities concerning what is sustainability?; and how to effectively assess the potential or actual sustainability of a landfill? It has been argued in the literature that this is a difficult task, however it is not impossible. This paper consequently presents the application of a mathematical model of sustainability to the results obtained for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the Russeifa landfill in Jordan using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) methodology. This paper demonstrates the methodology necessary to apply the model to the RIAM evaluation made at the time of assessment with respect to potential mitigation options. A determination of the level and nature of sustainability (if appropriate) for the project options were obtained for the Russeifa landfill. The results indicated that all of project options evaluated could be considered as unsustainable. This paper concludes by stating that the application of the model to the RIAM analysis offers a potential mechanism in evaluating sustainability through the use of a common and increasingly regarded technique of EIA.

Keywords: sustainability; mathematical modelling; environmental impact assessment; EIA; rapid impact assessment matrix; RIAM; landfill; Jordan; sustainable development; solid waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2012.050911

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2012 Vol.49 No.3/4, pp.137 - 160

Received: 24 Dec 2011
Accepted: 17 Jun 2012
Published online: 19 Nov 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: The application of a mathematical model of sustainability to the results of an environmental impact assessment of the Russeifa landfill, Jordan

Keep up-to-date