The economics of waste

Author(s)

• Porter, Richard C.

Bibliographic Information

The economics of waste

Richard C. Porter

Resources for the Future, c2002

• : pbk

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 267-292) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

ISBN 9781891853425

Description

Richard Porter introduces readers to the economic tools that can be applied to problems involved in handling a diverse range of waste products from business and households. Emphasizing the impossibility of achieving a zero-risk environment, Porter focuses on the choices that apply in real world decisions about waste. Acknowledging that effective waste policy integrates knowledge from several disciplines, Porter focuses on the use of economic analysis to reveal the costs of different policies and therefore how much can be done to meet goals to protect human health and the environment. With abundant examples, he considers subjects such as landfills, incineration, and illegal disposal. He discusses the international trade in waste, the costs and benefits of recycling, and special topics such as hazardous materials, Superfund, and nuclear waste. While making clear his belief that not every form of waste presents the same amount of risk or should be taken with the same amount of seriousness, Porter stresses the need for open-minded approaches to developing new policies. For students, policymakers, and general readers, this book aims to provide insight and accessibility to a subject that others might leave out-of-sight, out-of-mind, or buried under an impenetrable prose of statistics and jargon.

Volume

: pbk ISBN 9781891853432

Description

In this concise, engaging, and provocative work, Richard Porter introduces readers to the economic tools that can be applied to problems involved in handling a diverse range of waste products from business and households. Emphasizing the impossibility of achieving a zero-risk environment, Porter focuses on the choices that apply in real world decisions about waste. Acknowledging that effective waste policy integrates knowledge from several disciplines, Porter focuses on the use of economic analysis to reveal the costs of different policies and therefore how much can be done to meet goals to protect human health and the environment. With abundant examples, he considers subjects such as landfills, incineration, and illegal disposal. He discusses the international trade in waste, the costs and benefits of recycling, and special topics such as hazardous materials, Superfund, and nuclear waste. While making clear his belief that not every form of waste presents the same amount of risk, Porter stresses the need for open-minded approaches to developing new policies. For students, policymakers, and general readers, he provides insight and accessibility to a subject that others might leave out-of-sight, out-of-mind, or buried under an impenetrable prose of statistics and jargon.

Table of Contents

Preface Economics and Waste: An Introduction Part 1. Solid Waste Creation, Collection, and Disposal Business Waste Household Waste Collection Solid Waste Landfills Illegal Disposal and Litter Exporting and Importing Waste Part 2. Recycling Solid Waste Products Market Failure in Recycling Economics of Recycling Policies for Recycling Logistics of Recycling Markets for Recycling Yard Waste and Composting Part 3. Special Waste Categories Hazardous Waste Superfund Radioactive Waste Part 4. Final Thoughts What Have We Learned? References Index About the Author

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA57607190
• ISBN:
  • 1891853422
  • 1891853430
• LCCN: 2001058872
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Washington, D.C.
• Pages/Volumes: xii, 301 p.
• Size: 24 cm
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Refuse and refuse disposal -- Economic aspects -- United States
  • LCSH : Factory and trade waste -- Economic aspects -- United States
  • LCSH : Recycling -- Economic aspects -- United States
  • LCSH : Pollution -- United States -- Costs