Hot Issue and Burning Options in Waste Management: A Social Cost Benefit Analysis of Waste-to-Energy in the UK

Tooraj Jamasb, Hande Kiamil and Rabindra Nepal

Cambridge Working Papers in Economics from Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge

Abstract: The growing stream of municipal solid waste requires a sustainable waste management strategy. Meanwhile, addressing climate change and security of energy supply concerns require increased use of low-carbon and domestic sources of energy. This paper assesses the economic and policy aspects of waste management options focusing on waste to energy (WtE). We conclude that high levels of WtE and recycling are compatible as waste treatment options. We also present a social cost-benefit analysis of waste management scenarios for the UK focusing on specific waste management targets and carbon price. The results indicate that meeting the waste management targets of the EU Directive are socially more cost effective than the current practice. The cost effectiveness improves substantially with higher carbon prices. The findings show that WtE can be an important part of both waste management strategy and renewable energy policy. However, achieving the full potential of WtE requires development of heat delivery networks.

Keywords: Electricity; renewable energy; waste to energy (WtE); waste management; municipal solid waste (MSW). (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q01 Q28 Q42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24
Date: 2008-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene and nep-env
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Working Paper: Hot Issue and Burning Options in Waste Management: A Social Cost Benefit Analysis of Waste-to-Energy in the UK (2008)
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