Exploring the socio-economics of enhanced landfill mining

Abstract

This paper explores the socio-economics of Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM). A conceptual framework including performance drivers is presented. Technology (Waste-to-Energy, WtE) and Waste-to-Material (WtM) technologies), regulation (subsidies, taxes, allowances,...) and markets (energy, material prices and input costs) determine the economic performance of ELFM. Especially variations in WtE efficiency, electricity and CO2 price, investment and operational WtE-costs and ELFM support explain the variation in performance. Furthermore, the carbon footprint of the project was mapped to partly assess the environmental performance. Integrating the avoided greenhouse gas emissions into a broader social cost-benefit model and scaling up to the regional level, we show that developing ELFM projects can lead to substantial socio-economic benefits for Flanders. However, the complex trade-off issues between economic social and environmental issues of ELFM call for the further refinement of the conceptual framework and the development of integrated decision tools supporting private and public factors.