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Tonga is running out of space for more than 30k abandoned cars

abc.net.au

1–10 of 78 posts

Re: Tonga is running out of space for more than 30k abandoned cars

#3
post #2

Is it not economically viable to melt the cars for steel? Or is there not enough demand for steel in Tonga that the steel would need to be shipped abroad anyways?

It's an island chain of 100,000 people, so no. Plus, electricity is extremely expensive, importing the fuel to melt down steel would be crazy.

Re: Tonga is running out of space for more than 30k abandoned cars

#4
post #2

Is it not economically viable to melt the cars for steel? Or is there not enough demand for steel in Tonga that the steel would need to be shipped abroad anyways?

Islands with a total population of 100k. Lack of demand and probably no machinery to melt and process steel, expensive electricity/power to do that kind of processing, lack of other inputs, and a population without the expertise. Given how remote and small it is it's probably not economic to do anything about the problem.

Re: Tonga is running out of space for more than 30k abandoned cars

#7
post #4
post #2

Is it not economically viable to melt the cars for steel? Or is there not enough demand for steel in Tonga that the steel would need to be shipped abroad anyways?

Islands with a total population of 100k. Lack of demand and probably no machinery to melt and process steel, expensive electricity/power to do that kind of processing, lack of other inputs, and a population without the expertise. Given how remote and small it is it's probably not economic to do anything about the problem.

No harbor to ship it?

Re: Tonga is running out of space for more than 30k abandoned cars

#8
post #5

So many of the problems we've made seem like they could be great fixed by less people instead of more each year. Imagine the next population doubling and all that cost and suffering it will bring.

The population won't double again

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projections_of_population_grow...

Re: Tonga is running out of space for more than 30k abandoned cars

#9
post #5

So many of the problems we've made seem like they could be great fixed by less people instead of more each year. Imagine the next population doubling and all that cost and suffering it will bring.

The cure is worse than the disease in that case.

Re: Tonga is running out of space for more than 30k abandoned cars

#10

Same solution as most problems: import tax should include cost of getting rid of the car when you’re done. Then getting rid of a car is free. Ship it off the island at your expense and you get a refund.

Yes, came for the same comment. Add an import tax of 2x whatever it takes to ship a car out. Each new car that comes in, two cars go out.
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