A Functional Systematic Review of Digital Supply Chain Technologies in Municipal Solid Waste Management with a Saudi Benchmark

• B. Al-Jabri Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7226-9782
• M. Alkahtani Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7343-9098

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/37-1-3381

Abstract

This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine the adoption of digital supply chain technologies in municipal solid waste management, comparing global practices with emerging initiatives in Saudi Arabia. A systematic literature review, supported by content analysis and functional classification, was conducted on 70 peer-reviewed studies to identify the dominant technological domains shaping digital transformation in municipal solid waste management. Global evidence reveals five primary technology clusters: Internet-of-Things-based monitoring, artificial-intelligence-driven optimisation, blockchain-based authentication, big data analytics, and geographic-information-systems-supported planning, which collectively enhance operational efficiency, enable real-time visibility, and support citizen engagement. International best practices further demonstrate how integrated architectures that combine digital twins, robotics, and predictive analytics facilitate circular-economy transitions. In contrast, digital municipal solid waste management initiatives in Saudi Arabia remain largely confined to small-scale pilot projects, conceptual studies, and simulation models, with limited system integration. Key constraints include weak platform interoperability, the absence of end-to-end lifecycle tracking, and limited adoption of automated operational technologies. The findings indicate that advancing circular-economy performance in Saudi municipalities would require a transition from fragmented experimentation towards coordinated, large-scale digital implementation supported by regulatory alignment, strategic investment, and robust national data-governance frameworks. Strengthening digital infrastructure, expanding advanced analytics capabilities, and institutionalising mechanisms for citizen engagement would be essential to achieving Vision 2030 circularity objectives and aligning Saudi municipal solid waste management practices with global standards.