BENEFIT - COST ANALYSIS OF RECYCLING SOLID WASTES IN CONCRETE: A CASE STUDY OF CASSAVA PEELS IN NIGERIA
Authors: *Olonade K.A
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of using cassava peel ash (CPA) as substitute for cement in concrete was investigated. This was with a view to determining the economic value of CPA, if used in concrete. Annual cassava peels produced in Nigeria was estimated as well as the expanse of land lost to it. Cost of disamenity effect of cassava peels disposal was determined. The cost of normal cement and blended cement as well as their benefits was also determined. Thereafter, the benefit-cost ratio of using normal cement and cement blended with CPA were determined and compared. The results showed that about 14 million tonnes of cassava peels were generated annually, which occupy about 1400 km2 at a cost of ?7.6 billion ($50 m), which is expected to increase to ?13.5 billion ($90m) in 2020, all things being equal. The cost of disamenity effect of cassava peels was estimated to be ?21 million ($140,000), while cost of CPA was found to be about 26.7% of the cost of an equal quantity of cement. Aggregating benefits and costs of using CPA in concrete suggested that benefit-cost ratio was greater than 1 (about 1.8). The study concluded that processing cassava peels for use as construction material could be economically viable.
Affiliations: Department of Civil Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Keywords: Benefit-cost Ratio, Cassava Peel Ash, Blended Cement, Disamenity Effect, Solid Wastes
Published date: 2017/06/30
