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New circular economy perspectives on measuring sustainable waste management productivity

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  • Halkos, George E.
  • Aslanidis, Panagiotis Stavros C.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to delve into the interrelations between sustainability and the circular economy (CE) as it relates to the development of sustainable waste management (SWM). Innovative environmental policy pathways towards the CE are discussed as are the novel Environment Action Programme (EAP) and the new circular economy action plan which are intrinsic parts of the European Green Deal (EGD). Panel data analysis using the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) and the Malmquist–Luenberger productivity index (MLPI) is employed to evaluate the growth in total factor productivity in the European Union. The study incorporates as inputs: energy use, labour force, and gross fixed capital formation. Desirable output is described in terms of gross domestic product, and undesirable output – municipal waste generation – is examined using the MLPI model. The studied period is 1995–2019 and involves comparison between three periods: 1998–1999, 2008–2009, and 2018–2019. It is these periods in which TFP has been increasing in Europe in an era with active institutional actions on the environment. The average productivity growth based on MPI and MLPI is found to be 3.28%, and 0.1% respectively. However, we find that the incorporation of municipal waste generation – as an undesirable output – constitutes a significant factor in the lessening of TFP. This analysis provides a useful input for EU stakeholders involved in municipal solid waste management by highlighting methods of effectively waste generation and thus expanding the elements of the CE framework which will be reviewed in the upcoming Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2050 meetings.

Suggested Citation

  • Halkos, George E. & Aslanidis, Panagiotis Stavros C., 2023. "New circular economy perspectives on measuring sustainable waste management productivity," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 764-779.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:77:y:2023:i:c:p:764-779
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2023.01.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Halkos, George & Aslanidis, Panagiotis-Stavros, 2024. "Reviewing environmental aspects under the scope of ESG," MPRA Paper 120298, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Weronika Urbańska & Anna Janda & Magdalena Osial & Mateusz Słowikowski, 2023. "Sustainable Municipal Waste Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Case Study of Poland," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Halkos, George E. & Aslanidis, Panagiotis – Stavros C., 2023. "Sustainable energy development in an era of geopolitical multi-crisis. Applying productivity indices within institutional framework," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    4. Wei, Fangqing & Peng, Fei & Liu, Mengyue & Jiang, Ruixue, 2024. "Carbon productivity growth in China's thermal power industry: Empirical evidence using a bootstrapped Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index approach with fixed-sum undesirable outputs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    5. Yue, Wenzhong & Zhang, Lijun & Li, Tongxin, 2024. "Sustainability in the metallic minerals industry: The imperative for carbon accounting - insights from firm-level analysis in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sustainable waste management; Circular economy; Sustainability; Municipal waste generation; Data envelopment analysis; Malmquist productivity index; Malmquist–Luenberger productivity index;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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