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What is a Wasting Asset?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Wasting assets are properties and investments that have a limited life. Often, a wasted asset is a resource that is intended for use until there is nothing left. During the life of productive usage, assets of this type produce revenue, but eventually reach a state where the worth of the asset begins to wane.

Natural resources that are acquired as investments are excellent examples of wasting assets. Timber is one type of wasting asset that can be harvested and refined for particular uses. In some instances, the timber is used in the construction of a home, where it reaches a pinnacle of worth then slowly begins to depreciate. With some applications of timber, the depletion comes more rapidly, such as in the production of wooden toothpicks. Discarded after one use, the timber that is converted and used for this purpose reaches the high point of value at the time of sale, then provides less and less return as the used products are crushed and recycled into other products. Eventually, the fiber cannot be recycled any further and the wasting asset is considered to be out of the money, or no longer able to produce even a diminished revenue.

Wasting assets are properties and investments that have a limited life.
Wasting assets are properties and investments that have a limited life.

Natural gas, oil, and coal are all considered to be investments that fit the profile for a wasting asset. A wasting asset of this type is sometimes referred to as a consumed asset, since once it is used, there are few or no ways to recycle the product for the generation of additional revenue. Essentially, any product that is derived from a mine would qualify as a wasting asset, since at some point in the future, the minerals will cease to have a high amount of value and will be depreciated until there is no return at all.

Often, a wasting asset is well worth the initial investment. For example, an investor may choose to harvest huge amounts of timber at a relatively competitive price, then resell the material at an excellent profit. The buyer in turn may use the timber to create a wide range of products, which are manufactured at a profit. However, once the consumer has assumed ownership of the manufactured items, the process of depreciation will begin and the once profitable material will cease to generate revenue.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon163348

will wasting assets be depreciated and are they disclosed in the same way as non-current assets in the balance sheets such as machinery?

mdt

Every country has some type of indigenous wasting assets. Check with the government departments that regulate commerce and trade within Nigeria and they should be able to give you some examples.

anon8313

Where can wasting assets be found in nigeria?

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    • Wasting assets are properties and investments that have a limited life.
      By: Petrik
      Wasting assets are properties and investments that have a limited life.