Environmental Valuation & Cost-Benefit News

Abstract: There are very few construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling centres in Brazil. To encourage the building and operation of new units, data were collected and analysed relating to C&D waste management and recycling in Brazil. Based on the results of this analysis, a conceptual model is presented for conducting viability studies of future C&D waste recycling centres.

Applying this model to verify the viability of private recycling centres, the results show that under current market conditions in Brazil, C&D waste recycling centres are not financially feasible based solely on revenue from the sale of processed products. Nevertheless, under the same market conditions, the recycling centres could be economically viable for public authorities depending on the particular circumstances of each municipality. The feasibility, however, depends on continuity and the production volume reached.

The conceptual model, the results of its applications and the discussions about the experiences of existing centres can strongly support public authorities and private initiatives in their decision-making about investments in Brazil and in other developing countries.

by K.R.A. Nunes 1, C.F. Mahler 2, R. Valle 1 and C. Neves 1
1. Department of Production Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, C.P. 68507, CEP 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Telephone: +55 21 2562 7848; fax: +55 21 2290 6626
2. Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, C.P. 68506, CEP 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Waste Management via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com
Volume 27, Issue 11; 2007; Pages 1531-1540
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.09.007