Curbside recycling

Waste resource or waste of resources

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11681925
AutoresDavid Aadland (0000-0002-2638-2233, Wyoming Department of Education, autor de correspondencia), Arthur J Caplan (0000-0002-2435-3973, Utah State University)
Año2006
Volumen25
Número4
Páginas855-874
Fecha de publicación2006-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Policy Analysis and Management (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0276-8739 • E-ISSN: 1520-6688
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/pam.20211
OpenAlexW2112193994
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas20
Referencias citadas25

In this paper, we address the often contentious debate over state and local recycling policy by carefully estimating the social net benefit of curbside recycling. Benefits are estimated using household survey data from over 4,000 households across 40 western U.S. cities. We calibrate household willingnesstopay for hypothetical bias using an innovative experimental design that contrasts stated and revealed preferences. Cost estimates are compiled from previous studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Institute for Local Self Reliance, and from indepth interviews with recycling coordinators in our sampled cities. Across our sample of cities, we find that the estimated mean social net benefit of curbside recycling is almost exactly zero. On a citybycity basis, however, our social netbenefit analysis often makes clear predictions about whether a curbside recycling program is an efficient use of resources. Surprisingly, several curbside recycling programs in our sample appear to be inefficient. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management

Agency (philosophy · Business · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental economics · Public economics · Public policy · Resource (disambiguation · Sample (material · Sociology · Computer Science · Economic and Environmental Valuation · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Urban Transport and Accessibility