What is considered the primary cost associated with solid waste management?

The primary cost associated with solid waste management is collections. This aspect involves the logistics of collecting waste from residential, commercial, and industrial sources, which requires a significant investment in human resources, vehicles, fuel, and maintenance. The collection system needs to be efficient and reliable to ensure that waste is removed regularly to maintain public health and environmental standards.

In most solid waste management budgets, collection expenses typically outstrip other costs due to the ongoing nature of this service. It encompasses route planning, labor costs for workers who physically collect the waste, as well as administrative expenses associated with managing the collection system.

Other components of solid waste management, such as site acquisition, landfill design, and financial assurance, while important, represent fewer costs relative to the ongoing need for waste collection services. These costs may be substantial, but they are often incurred less frequently compared to the continuous expenditure on waste collection. Therefore, the largest portion of expenditure in this field is on collection operations.