Optimizing the Workforce Schedule and Collection Routes for Glass Containers

This paper presents and compares two different solution approaches to optimize the glass collection process at a single intermunicipal authority in Belgium. First, a model enhancement approach is proposed to solve a shift scheduling optimization problem integrating the construction of glass collection routes. Second, a simulation based rolling horizon procedure is designed to determine the possible benefits of providing the glass containers with fill level sensors. The performance of both solution approaches is evaluated and compared using real-life data