Cost estimation for solid waste management in industrialising regions : precedents, problems and prospects

Type of content
Journal Article
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2011
Authors
Parthan, Shantha Rashmi
Milke, M.W.
Wilson, D.C.
Cocks, J.H.
Abstract

The importance of cost planning for Solid Waste Management (SWM) in industrialising regions (IR) is not well recognised. The approaches used to estimate costs of SWM can broadly be classified into three categories- the unit cost method, benchmarking techniques and developing cost models using sub-approaches such as cost and production function analysis. These methods have been developed into computer programmes with varying functionality and utility. IR mostly use the unit cost and benchmarking approach to estimate their SWM costs. The models for cost estimation, on the other hand, are used at times in industrialised countries, but not in IR. Taken together, these approaches could be viewed as precedents that can be modified appropriately to suit waste management systems in IR. The main challenges (or problems) one might face while attempting to do so are a lack of cost data, and a lack of quality for what data do exist. There are practical benefits to planners in IR where solid waste problems are critical and budgets are limited.

Description
Citation
Parthan, S.R., Milke, M.W., Wilson, D.C., Cocks, J.H. (2011) Cost estimation for solid waste management in industrialising regions : precedents, problems and prospects. Waste Management and Research, (in press).
Keywords
review, financial planning, waste management costs, data quality, developing countries
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Field of Research::09 - Engineering::0904 - Chemical Engineering::090409 - Wastewater Treatment Processes
Field of Research::09 - Engineering::0905 - Civil Engineering::090599 - Civil Engineering not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research::38 - Economics::3801 - Applied economics::380109 - Industry economics and industrial organisation
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