Reversibility and switching options values in the geological disposal of radioactive waste.

This article offers some economic insights for the debate on the reversible geological disposal of radioactive waste. Irreversibility due to large sunk costs, an important degree of flexibility and several sources of uncertainty are taken into account in the decision process relative to the radioactive waste disposal. We draw up a stochastic model in a continuous time framework to study the decision problem of a reversible repository project for the radioactive waste, with multiple disposal stages. We consider that the value of reversibility, related to the radioactive waste packages, is jointly affected by economic and technological uncertainty. These uncertainties are modeled, first, by a 2-Dimensional Geometric Brown- ian Motion, and, second, by a Geometric Brownian Motion with a Poisson jump process. A numerical analysis and a sensitivity study of various parameters are also proposed.radioactive waste, reversibility, switching, real option theory.

Nuclear waste disposal in space

Work on nuclear waste disposal in space conducted by the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and contractors are reported. From the aggregate studies, it is concluded that space disposal of nuclear waste is technically feasible

The effect of heat compression on mechanical behaviour and moisture content of pineapple leaf fibre and sugarcane bagasse waste for plate disposal

The waste from farming and industry could be reduced and used as raw materials in construction to achieve sustainable technologies. This study focuses on the use of waste products from the pineapple leaf and sugarcane bagasse as compounds in replacing polystyrenes and others plastics glass in the manufacture of plate disposal. This platter is made from pineapple leaf and sugarcane bagasse by six (6) series of mixtures with different percentages namely series 1 (20% of pineapple leaf), series 2 (30% of pineapple leaf) series 3 (40% of pineapple leaf), series 4 (60 % of pineapple leaf), series 5 (70% of pineapple leaf) and series of 6 (80% of pineapple leaf). Two (2) series is N8T2 (80% of pineapple leaf and 20 % sugarcane bagasse waste) and N2T8 (20% of pineapple leaf and 80% sugarcane bagasse waste) focusing on this study for furthermore understanding the effect of replacing plate disposal from pineapple laef fiber and sugarcane bagasse waste material. A platter hot press machine is built with variable adjustment temperature on the surface of the mold according parameters required are 50°C, 100°C and 150°C. The effect of heat compression on physical and mechanical behavior of the pineapple leave and sugarcane bagasse waste plate disposal was evaluated. From observation and results showed the best roughness surface appearance on N2T8.The Optimum percentage pineapple leaf and sugarcane bagasse waste is good present at heat parameter 50°C for specimen N2T8. The best water absorption on specimen series N8T2 because pineapple leaf potential to hydroscopic and water resistance. It can be concluded that pineapple leaf and sugarcane bagasse waste have potential raw material for strength and lightweight of paper disposal composition applications

Microbial Effects on Repository Performance

This report presents a critical review of the international literature on microbial effects in and around a deep geological repository for higher activity wastes. It is aimed at those who are familiar with the nuclear industry and radioactive waste disposal, but who are not experts in microbiology; they may have a limited knowledge of how microbiology may be integrated into and impact upon radioactive waste disposal safety cases and associated performance assessments (PA)

On Second-best Policing Effort against the Illegal Disposal of Recyclable Waste

In this paper, we construct a partial equilibrium model of a product that can be manufactured by using a recycled material as well as a virgin natural resource. In particular, we consider the possibility that a household may resort to the illicit disposal of its waste, such as midnight dumping, instead of discarding it properly. Our focus is on conducting a comparative static analysis on the second-best level of the governmentfs policing effort to counter illegal disposal. More specifically, we examine how the government should adjust the effort level in response to changes in the environmental damage cost of illegal disposal and exported waste.illegal waste disposal, recycling, second-best policy

Space disposal of nuclear wastes. Volume 1: Socio-political aspects

The history and interpretation of radioactive waste management in the U.S., criteria for choosing from various options for waste disposal, and the impact of nuclear power growth from 1975 to 2000 are discussed. Preconditions for the existence of high level wastes in a form suitable for space disposal are explored. The role of the NASA space shuttle program in the space disposal of nuclear wastes, and the impact on program management, resources and regulation are examined

Solid Waste Disposal: A Choice Experiment Experience in Malaysia

Increasing generation of solid waste requires better quality disposal options in Malaysia. Control tipping is the most commonly used complemented by sanitary landfill and incineration. This study estimates the non-market values of improved waste disposal services and also ranking them using choice experiment. River water quality is the most concerned followed by psychological fear, air pollution and land use. Socio-economic background and distance factor influence the types of compensating surpluses. These conclude the importance of perception, influenced by socio-economic background, the presence of the Not-In-My-Backyard syndrome and that sanitary landfill is more preferred.Solid waste disposal; willingness-to-pay; choice experiment

The Cost of Reducing Municipal Solid Waste

This paper explores public policies for reduction of municipal solid waste. We parameterize a simple model of waste disposal using supply and demand elasticities from the economics literature and 1990 prices and quantities of recyclable and recycled materials. Using this model, we calculate the waste reduction in response to three public policies: (i) deposit/ refunds, (ii) advance disposal fees, and (iii) recycling subsidies. The results illustrate the effects of the three policies on source reduction and recycling of five recyclable materials that comprise 56 percent of municipal solid waste: aluminum, glass, paper, plastic, and steel. The calculated responses provide information about the cost of reducing municipal solid waste through various policies. This analysis suggests that a 7.5 percent reduction in disposal of the solid wastes in the model might have been optimal in 1990 from a benefit-cost perspective.