Based upon the information obtained from Mississippi shrimp processors and the alternatives presented herein, the current costs associated with shrimp processing waste disposal appear reasonable. However, waste disposal contracts are currently being negotiated on an annual basis so that no long-term costs are available for planning purposes.
The small number of businesses available to provide waste hauling services could be of concern in the future if there should be a sudden large increase in disposal fees charged by currently available contractors. There is also a potential problem inherent in the fact that only one meal plant is in operation in a reasonable geographic distance from Mississippi processing businesses. If this plant should close due to environmental regulations or lack of profitability, there are no alternative processing sites which operate on a year-round basis.
It has been shown that a shrimp waste hauling and processing business using new equipment which must be financed or purchased with existing capital would probably not be viable if it relied solely on the amount of raw material available from Mississippi shrimp processors. This situation could be improved by purchasing used equipment and/or fabricating needed equipment such as driers, storage bins, etc.
Another approach to consider is to have Mississippi processors invest in a larger-scale operation run by an independent contractor using raw materials obtained from other areas and businesses with a provision that the investment funds would guarantee a long-term contract price and/or profit sharing. applied towards waste management costs.
Waste Management Options For Mississippi Shrimp Processors
Compiled by the Mississippi State University, Coastal Research and Extension Center, Biloxi, Mississippi, October, 1998