Exploring the socio-economics of enhanced landfill mining

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. Using a case study, an investment model is developed to identify the impact of a broad range of parameters on the profitability 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 socioeconomic 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 actors.