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The Landfill Full Cost Accounting (FCA) Guide for New Zealand

The Landfill Full Cost Accounting Guide for New Zealand is available to assist waste managers/commercial landfill operators to implement a consistent accounting approach to landfills. This incorporates:

landfill planning
development
operation
closure
aftercare.

A FCA approach to landfills will more accurately reflect environmental costs associated with the disposal of waste. It enables users to make meaningful comparisons of different waste management options. It also assists in decision-making about ways to fund and improve the efficiency of waste management services.

Landfill operators need to determine the extent to which landfills are funded through user charges, or through other sources of funding. The Guide is designed to make the basis for landfill project funding more transparent and standard than is currently the case. The model can be used in conjunction with other tools (like the Life Cycle Analysis computer tool, Wisard) to determine life cycle or w aste disposal costs.

The Guide outlines a process for deriving a gate rate for landfill disposal. The spreadsheet model included with the guideline document derives an indicative base cost (on a tonnage basis), that covers all easily measurable costs associated w ith the development, operation and closure of a given landfill site. Additional factors are likely to be considered before setting the gate rate.

Visit the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand website to purchase copies of the relevant Financial Reporting Standards (FRS-3 and FRS-15).
Read Audit New Zealand's Accounting for landfills guide.