This paper presents a system's engineering model for the strategic planning of an integrated solid waste management at local level and more specifically in an island with touristic development. The model was developed for the island of Corfu, but it can also be implemented in other touristic islands all over the world. It combines the worth benefit utility analysis (WBU) with the life cycle analysis (LCA), taking into account environmental, financial, technological and social criteria. The model's implementation in the island of Corfu demonstrates that the most efficient method for the waste disposal in Corfu is the combination of the material sorting at the waste source and the production of compost from the organic fraction. ?? 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.