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Economic viability of packaging waste recycling systems: A comparison between Belgium and Portugal

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  • Marques, Rui Cunha
  • da Cruz, Nuno Ferreira
  • Simões, Pedro
  • Faria Ferreira, Sandra
  • Pereira, Marta Cabral
  • De Jaeger, Simon

Abstract

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive has had an undeniable impact on waste management throughout the European Union. Whereas recycling and recovery targets are the same, member states still enjoy a considerable degree of freedom with respect to the practical organization and management strategies adopted. Nevertheless, in all cases, the industry (which brings packaging material onto the market) should be responsible for the costs associated with packaging waste recycling/recovery (following the extended producer responsibility principle). The current paper compares and contrasts the institutional frameworks and financial costs and benefits of waste management operators for Belgium and Portugal. The unit costs of selective collection and sorting of packaging waste are provided for both countries. In Belgium, the costs of recycling seem to be fully supported by the industry (through Fost Plus, the national Green Dot agency). In Portugal the fairness of the recycling system depends on the perspective adopted (economic or strictly financial). Adopting a strictly financial perspective, it seems that Sociedade Ponto Verde (SPV, the Portuguese Green Dot agency) should increase the transfers to local authorities. However, the conclusions differ for this country if the avoided costs with refuse collection and other treatment are taken into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Marques, Rui Cunha & da Cruz, Nuno Ferreira & Simões, Pedro & Faria Ferreira, Sandra & Pereira, Marta Cabral & De Jaeger, Simon, 2014. "Economic viability of packaging waste recycling systems: A comparison between Belgium and Portugal," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 22-33.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:85:y:2014:i:c:p:22-33
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.12.015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marques, Rui Cunha & da Cruz, Nuno Ferreira & Carvalho, Pedro, 2012. "Assessing and exploring (in)efficiency in Portuguese recycling systems using non-parametric methods," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 34-43.
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    8. da Cruz, Nuno F. & Ferreira, Sandra & Cabral, Marta & Simões, Pedro & Marques, Rui Cunha, 2014. "Packaging waste recycling in Europe: is the industry paying for it?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 59755, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Andrzej Marcinkowski & Paweł Haręża, 2022. "The Effect of Heat Source on Cost of Preparation of Household Food Packaging Waste for Recycling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Cheung, Wai Ming & Pachisia, Vedant, 2015. "Facilitating waste paper recycling and repurposing via cost modelling of machine failure, labour availability and waste quantity," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 34-41.
    4. Lakhan, Calvin, 2015. "Diversion, but at what cost? The economic challenges of recycling in Ontario," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 133-142.
    5. Xinyang Xu & Yang Yang, 2022. "Analysis of the Dilemma of Promoting Circular Logistics Packaging in China: A Stochastic Evolutionary Game-Based Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-22, June.

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