That lowers the direct cost to residents and businesses, making the regular trash pickup appear to be less expensive than it really is. But when recycling programs begin, residents usually directly pay the full cost of recycling. This can distort the cost comparisons between the recycling program and disposing of trash at landfills. Depletion Costs Recycling also is economical because costs associated with future disposal are avoided. One of these avoided costs is for landfill depletion.
Landfills have limited space, and so can receive a limited amount of trash.
When it is full, it must be replaced by another landfill that is generally more expensive to operate and maintain. This is due to higher costs of complying with environmental regulations, higher expenses in siting a new location, buying or allocating land, constructing the landfill, operational expenses, and long-term maintenance costs after the landfill is closed. Additionally, the new landfill may be further away than the old landfill, increasing transportation costs. Generally, a new landfill costs more than an older one. Paying the higher cost at a new landfill is avoided by keeping the older landfill open longer.