social, ecological and economic efficiency assessment of the existing scheme of communal solid waste handling in St.-Petersburg

Abstract

In this paper we estimate the efficiency of the existing scheme of communal solid waste handling in St.-Petersburg by social, ecological and economic criteria. The results of this assessment allow us to conclude that all stages of communal solid waste handling in the city (collection, hauling, processing and disposal of wastes) are profitable. However, the level of waste recycling in the city is low in comparison with industrially developed countries. Increasing the level of waste recycling up to 40% by the development of recyclable materials receiving centers, of waste processing facilities, of recoverable resources market will make all stages of the waste handling scheme profitable even without payments from the city population.