I don't know of a source that tracks landfill prices around the
world, but there is a wonderful database of eco-taxes (including
landfill surcharges) put together by Keele University in the UK at
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ge/envtaxes/SUMMARY.HTM
The database, however, does not include eco-taxes for the US. Tthe
best summary I have seen for landfill surcharges and other solid
waste taxes on this subject is a report by the North Carolina Office
of Waste Reduction from a few years ago, "Funding Options for State
Solid Waste Programs". It notes that 29 states use a landfill
surcharge to help fund solid waste programs. It is my understanding
that Virginia is looking at or has just adopted such a surcharge,
partially in response to the influx of waste from New York City.
Wisconsin is also looking at this means of funding recycling and
providing a disincentive to landfilling.
BTW, the Norway surcharge of 300 kroner per tonne (approximately $40
a ton) is based on reducing the global greenhouse gas (GHG) impact
of landfills due to methane gas generation and emissions.
According to the studies in Norway, the methane gas from their
landfills accounts for 12% of the country's greenhouse gases on a
carbon equivalent basis. In the US, landfills are the largest
man-made source of methane gas emissions and methane has between 21
and 25 times the GHG impact of CO2 on a weight, depending on the
number of years over which the accounting is done.
John Reindl, Recycling Manager
Dane County, WI
> This raises a question ... does anyone track the
> cost of landfilling in the USA? in the World?
>
> I heard the other day that Norway attaches a $40/ton
> surcharge on landfill garbage ... !! That's fantastic,
> and the kind of ammo I need in my work here in
> Colorado ...
>
> Any ideas out there?
>
> thanks, Eric at EcoCycle
>
>
>
> At 02:45 PM 3/2/99 -0500, Michele Raymond wrote:
> >I am personally not a big fan of SUV's. to say the least.
> >
> >But lets face it:
> >1. make gas $2 a gallon and you'd see a big change in preferences.
> >2. make landfill tip fees at least $100 a ton and recycling would
> >all of a sudden get "economic"
> >
> >We are pretty spoiled in the U.S. with cheap everything.
> >
> >Cheers
> >
> >
> >Michele Raymond
> >Publisher
> >Recycling Laws International/ State Recycling Laws Update
> >5111 Berwyn Rd. Ste 115 College Park, MD 20740)
> >301/345-4237 Fax 345-4768
> >http://www.raymond.com
> >
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reindl@co.dane.wi.us
(608)267-1533 - fax
(608)267-8815 - phone