Economics of Solid Waste Management

The concept of gazing trash or waste as a worthwhile resource is augmenting exponentially. Despite its worthiness, there are distinct factors which affect the profitability of a plant which processes waste to worthwhile products such as fuels, fertilizers, energy, or chemicals. There is the adequate literature of different processing methods of wastes; however, the majority of the studies do not consider economic perspective. This chapter focusses on the economics of handling wastes including collection and transportation and processing it into value-added products such as compost, electricity, or fuel. Different countries have different legislation for waste handling, and this chapter addresses the waste handling costs in different countries. Furthermore, the profitability of different processing methods was discussed. The critical factors affecting the profitability of waste treatment and handling were identified, and workable solutions or directions were provided to the scientific community to address the problems with an industrial outlook including profitability.