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Has Incineration Replaced Recycling? Evidence from OECD Countries

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  • Thomas C. Kinnaman

    (Department of Economics, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA)

  • Masashi Yamamoto

    (Department of Economics, Tokai University, Tokyo 151-8677, Japan)

Abstract

Despite public efforts to promote recycling, recycling rates in OECD countries with mature recycling programs in 2000 have largely stagnated over the past 20 years. Could the rapid growth in incineration have played a role in suppressing the growth in recycling? This paper introduces a model to understand the relationship (possibly positive or negative) between incineration and recycling. A cursory examination of the data within individual countries appears to support the model by demonstrating both a positive and negative relationship. An econometric model that estimates incineration has a negative but statistically insignificant effect on recycling rates. This result contrasts with the previous literature which found a negative and statistically significant negative relationship between incineration and recycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas C. Kinnaman & Masashi Yamamoto, 2023. "Has Incineration Replaced Recycling? Evidence from OECD Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3234-:d:1064111
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bente Halvorsen, 2008. "Effects of Norms and Opportunity Cost of Time on Household Recycling," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 84(3), pages 501-516.
    2. Kinnaman, Thomas C., 2014. "Determining the socially optimal recycling rate," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 5-10.
    3. Yamamoto, Masashi & Kinnaman, Thomas C., 2022. "Is incineration repressing recycling?," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    4. Abbott, Andrew & Nandeibam, Shasikanta & O'Shea, Lucy, 2013. "Recycling: Social norms and warm-glow revisited," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 10-18.
    5. Erik O'Donovan & Miche l L. Collins, 2011. "An Economic Evaluation of Incineration as a Residual Municipal Solid Waste Management Option in Ireland," Trinity Economics Papers tep1811, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics.
    6. Dijkgraaf, Elbert & Vollebergh, Herman R.J., 2004. "Burn or bury? A social cost comparison of final waste disposal methods," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(3-4), pages 233-247, October.
    7. Kinnaman, Thomas C. & Shinkuma, Takayoshi & Yamamoto, Masashi, 2014. "The socially optimal recycling rate: Evidence from Japan," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 54-70.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nadezhda Kvasha & Olga Bolotnikova & Ekaterina Malevskaia-Malevich, 2023. "Biotechnological Basis of the Pulp and Paper Industry Circular Economic System," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-13, December.

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