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The separate collection of recyclable waste materials as a flywheel for the circular economy: the role of institutional quality and socio-economic factors

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  • Massimiliano Agovino

    (University of Naples “Parthenope”)

  • Maria Ferrara

    (University of Naples “Parthenope”)

  • Katia Marchesano

    (University of Naples “Parthenope”)

  • Antonio Garofalo

    (University of Naples “Parthenope”)

Abstract

The separate collection of individual recyclable waste materials is the basis for any recycling process. This produces important advantages, especially in terms of resource savings. This paper investigates the drivers of the separate collection process of recyclable materials (i.e., organic, paper, glass, plastic) and its total in the 103 Italian provinces (NUTS-3), in the years 2004–2011. Results show that the pillars of institutional quality (such as, voice and accountability, rule of law and regulatory quality), value added per capita and participation to ecological associations are important factors for an effective implementation of the waste separation process. In particular, these factors do matter for an effective collection of organic waste, paper, glass and plastic. Furthermore, the analysis shows marked differences among macro-areas (North, Central and Southern Italy). Policy considerations are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimiliano Agovino & Maria Ferrara & Katia Marchesano & Antonio Garofalo, 2020. "The separate collection of recyclable waste materials as a flywheel for the circular economy: the role of institutional quality and socio-economic factors," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 37(2), pages 659-681, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolit:v:37:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s40888-019-00153-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s40888-019-00153-9
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    4. Boffa Federico & Mollisi Vincenzo & Ponzetto A. M. Giacomo, 2024. "Do Incompetent Politicians Breed Populist Voters? Evidence from Italian Municipalities," Working papers 087, Department of Economics, Social Studies, Applied Mathematics and Statistics (Dipartimento di Scienze Economico-Sociali e Matematico-Statistiche), University of Torino.
    5. Binfeng Shi, 2024. "Transmission mechanism of public concern in waste-sorting policy: Evidence from text mining," Energy & Environment, , vol. 35(3), pages 1616-1636, May.
    6. Ayşe Lisa Allison & Fabiana Lorencatto & Susan Michie & Mark Miodownik, 2022. "Barriers and Enablers to Food Waste Recycling: A Mixed Methods Study amongst UK Citizens," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-26, February.
    7. Piera Cascioli & Dario D’Ingiullo & Donatella Furia & Iacopo Odoardi & Davide Quaglione, 2024. "Towards Greener Futures: Investigating the Nexus of Social, Human, and Institutional Capital in Sustainable Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-15, June.
    8. Assunta Di Vaio & Sohail Hasan & Rosa Palladino & Rohail Hassan, 2023. "The transition towards circular economy and waste within accounting and accountability models: a systematic literature review and conceptual framework," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 734-810, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental issues; Recycling; Circular economy; Government policy; Solid waste; Land use patterns; Panel data models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • R5 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis

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