Abstract
This paper analyzes the initial expenses and running costs for MSW (municipal solid waste) landfills based on data collected through a questionnaire-style survey. Landfills used in the study were selected according to their different characteristics, which included size, site conditions, leachate treatment process, and with roof/without roof. The study incorporates detailed data collected from 123 landfill sites.
Most expense items show a scale of economy: unit-cost per scale index (construction cost per one cubic meter of landfill volume, for example) increases as the size of the landfill increases. This effect was modeled in the form of a logarithmic linear equation made between scale index and unit cost. Each of the cost items is roughly proportionate to 0.5-0.6 power to scale index. Monitoring costs are the only exception, remaining constant regardless of landfill size. This is due to the fact that monitoring was carried out to meet regulations for frequency and numbers, in most landfills. The total cost for the landfills was calculated for various possible scenarios by combining all the expenses.
