ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the types of costs associated with the facilities which are part of waste management systems. In almost all cases, cost is a major influence in determining whether decision-makers elect to construct a particular facility or pursue another alternative. A common procedure for comparing alternatives is to conduct a lifecycle cost analysis. The cost of solid waste disposal at a landfill or incinerator is commonly recovered by a tipping fee based on the weight or volume of wastes received. The decisions that a municipality makes concerning the ownership, operation, and financing of processing and disposal facilities not only determine the waste management costs, but also the risks it assumes, its control of the operation, and its flexibility for making future changes. The combination of public ownership and private operation provides the opportunity to minimize the cost of financing through the use of tax-exempt municipal bonds.
