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Questioning the Waste Hierarchy: The Case of a Region with a Low Population Density

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  • Alan Barrett
  • John Lawlor

Abstract

Discussions of municipal solid waste (MSW) management are influenced increasingly by the concept of the waste hierarchy which, broadly speaking, places landfill as the least acceptable option for dealing with MSW, followed by incineration, recycling, re-use and reduction at source. In this paper, we want to question the wisdom of applying the waste hierarchy in a region with a low population density. The hierarchy was first developed with reference to the high population density areas such as the core of the EU. However, in low population density areas the economics of the various approaches to MSW is likely to be quite different. As a result, the application of the hierarchy could place an undue economic burden on a region relative to the environmental benefits that might arise. We estimate the costs, both internal and external, of the various methods of dealing with MSW in an area with the appropriate population density, drawing on information from a wide variety of sources. We find that landfill is significantly cheaper than in high population density areas, even when account is taken of the associated externalities. In addition, it is generally cheaper than the alternative methods. As such, we conclude that landfill should not be shunned as a disposal method in low population density areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Barrett & John Lawlor, 1997. "Questioning the Waste Hierarchy: The Case of a Region with a Low Population Density," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(1), pages 19-36.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:40:y:1997:i:1:p:19-36
    DOI: 10.1080/09640569712263
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    Cited by:

    1. Quinn, Martin & Feeney, Orla, 2022. "Domestic Waste Management in Ireland - the Journey Towards Financialization," QBS Working Paper Series 271266, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's Business School.
    2. KS Rajmohan & C Ramya & Sunita Varjani, 2021. "Trends and advances in bioenergy production and sustainable solid waste management," Energy & Environment, , vol. 32(6), pages 1059-1085, September.
    3. Marco Runkel, 2003. "Product Durability and Extended Producer Responsibility in Solid Waste Management," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 24(2), pages 161-182, February.
    4. Locatelli, Giorgio & Invernizzi, Diletta Colette & Brookes, Naomi J., 2017. "Project characteristics and performance in Europe: An empirical analysis for large transport infrastructure projects," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 108-122.
    5. Ksenia Silchenko & Roberto Del Gobbo & Nicola Castellano & Bruno Maria Franceschetti & Virginia Tosi & Monia La Verghetta, 2015. "Sorting Through Waste Management Literature: A Text Mining Approach to a Literature Review," MIC 2015: Managing Sustainable Growth; Proceedings of the Joint International Conference, Portorož, Slovenia, 28–30 May 2015,, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper.

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