Post Separation of Plastic Waste: Better for the Environment and Lower Collection Costs

Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper 16-103/VI

20 Pages Posted: 25 Nov 2016

See all articles by Elbert Dijkgraaf

Elbert Dijkgraaf

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE); Erasmus University Rotterdam, SEOR-ECRi

Raymond Gradus

School of Business and Economics

Date Written: November 24, 2016

Abstract

The European Union (EU) advocates a plastic waste recycling rate of more than 55% through home separation by households. Even for the Netherlands, which has already invested heavily in plastic recycling policies, there is still a challenge to meet this target. We show that post separation is an advisable alternative with more separation of plastic waste and lower collection costs. Based on data for 2013-2014, Dutch municipalities with post-separation have 6.2 kilogram more plastic than municipalities with only bring locations. Moreover, the effectiveness of post separation increases significantly over time to 8.4 kilograms in 2014. Also curbside collection of plastic waste can be effective, if it is combined with an unit-based pricing system, but in such a case the collection costs are higher. Therefore, there are indications that the cost effectiveness of recycling plastic waste increases, if post separation is chosen.

Keywords: plastic waste, recycling, post separation, home separation, cost effectiveness

JEL Classification: H43, Q38, Q42

Suggested Citation

Dijkgraaf, Elbert and Gradus, Raymond, Post Separation of Plastic Waste: Better for the Environment and Lower Collection Costs (November 24, 2016). Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper 16-103/VI, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2875279 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2875279

Elbert Dijkgraaf (Contact Author)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam, NL 3062 PA
Netherlands

Erasmus University Rotterdam, SEOR-ECRi ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
H 7-34
Rotterdam, 3000 DR
Netherlands
+31 10 4082590 (Phone)
+31 10 4089650 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ecri.nl

Raymond Gradus

School of Business and Economics ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, 1081HV
Netherlands

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