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Recycling Policies, Behavior and Convenience: Survey Evidence from the CalRecycle Program

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  • Peter Berck
  • Marshall Blundell
  • Gabriel Englander
  • Samantha Gold
  • Shelley He
  • Janet Horsager
  • Scott Kaplan
  • Molly Sears
  • Andrew Stevens
  • Carly Trachtman
  • Rebecca Taylor
  • Sofia B. Villas‐Boas

Abstract

AB2020 established a deposit‐refund system in California, where consumers are reimbursed the California Redemption Value (CRV) upon recycling eligible containers at a recycling center. We study recycling under this policy, focusing on consumer convenience, reported recycling and diversion behavior, and responses to changes in the CRV amount. We find that consumers prefer nearby centers with flexible operating hours and short waiting times. While the CRV induces recycling, an increase in CRV would not lead to major recycling increases, given the limited number of containers entering trash streams. Finally, most diverted containers are taken from trash streams, not curbside recycling bins.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Berck & Marshall Blundell & Gabriel Englander & Samantha Gold & Shelley He & Janet Horsager & Scott Kaplan & Molly Sears & Andrew Stevens & Carly Trachtman & Rebecca Taylor & Sofia B. Villas‐Boa, 2021. "Recycling Policies, Behavior and Convenience: Survey Evidence from the CalRecycle Program," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(2), pages 641-658, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:43:y:2021:i:2:p:641-658
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13117
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Porter, Richard C., 1978. "A social benefit-cost analysis of mandatory deposits on beverage containers," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 5(4), pages 351-375, December.
    2. Bevin Ashenmiller, 2009. "Cash Recycling, Waste Disposal Costs, and the Incomes of the Working Poor: Evidence from California," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 85(3), pages 539-551.
    3. Berck, Peter & Sears, Molly & Taylor, Rebecca L.C. & Trachtman, Carly & Villas-Boas, Sofia B., 2024. "Reduce, reuse, redeem: Deposit-refund recycling programs in the presence of alternatives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    4. Timothy K. M. Beatty & Peter Berck & Jay P. Shimshack, 2007. "Curbside Recycling In The Presence Of Alternatives," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 45(4), pages 739-755, October.
    5. Ann Wolverton & Don Fullerton, 2000. "Two Generalizations of a Deposit-Refund Systems," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 90(2), pages 238-242, May.
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    7. Abbott, Andrew & Nandeibam, Shasikanta & O'Shea, Lucy, 2017. "The Displacement Effect of Convenience: The Case of Recycling," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 159-168.
    8. Jakus, Paul M. & Tiller, Kelly & Park, William M., 1996. "Generation Of Recyclables By Rural Households," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 21(1), pages 1-13, July.
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    1. Berck, Peter & Sears, Molly & Taylor, Rebecca L.C. & Trachtman, Carly & Villas-Boas, Sofia B., 2024. "Reduce, reuse, redeem: Deposit-refund recycling programs in the presence of alternatives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    2. Ciara O’Dwyer & Atiq Zaman & Jessica K. Breadsell, 2022. "The Uptake of Container Deposit Schemes: A Case Study in Perth, Western Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-30, September.
    3. Baihui Jin & Wei Li, 2023. "External Factors Impacting Residents’ Participation in Waste Sorting Using NCA and fsQCA Methods on Pilot Cities in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-21, February.

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