title: Estimation of cost reduction and increase for the final disposal associated with the categorization of inert waste landfills in Japan.
abstract: This study estimates the overall cost savings that have been realized due to disposal of inert wastes in Japan because this material has been deposited in inert waste landfills (IWLs) that are designed exclusively for this purpose, instead of being co-dipsosed with organic wastes in more costly in sanitary landfills (SLs). The total realized cost savings were based on the disposed volume of inert waste and the actual disposal fees for IWLs and SLs for the period 1977-2006. The estimated reduction in expense is 4748 billion JPY for the period. On the other hand, if organic wastes had been deposited in IWLs along with inert wastes, costs would be incurred to clean up the sites because the surrounding environment may be polluted by the decomposition of the non-inert wastes and considerable efforts probably would be required to restore the polluted environment to its normal condition (this is because IWLs typically do not have a barrier system.) The potential cleanup cost was estimated to be 616 to 1226 billion JPY. These estimated costs were compared and it was found that the net reduction in expense was 3522 billion to 4122 billion JPY. Although the expense was reduced substantially, it was noted that a considerable cleanup cost would be generated. In particular, it was found that the increase in cleanup costs becomes most significant after the late 1990s.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. nakayama@doc.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsuchida
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimaoka
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings; D007564:Japan; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods