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Do Municipal Mergers Promote Recycling?

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  • Jinsong LI
  • Kenji TAKEUCHI

Abstract

This study investigates whether municipal mergers promote waste recycling and generate lower waste. Using difference-in-differences with matching, we estimate the effect of the large-scale consolidation in Japan on waste management, waste generation, and collection of recyclable plastics. We find merged municipalities are less likely to adopt unit pricing of household waste which might explain higher waste generation in the merged municipalities. Our results also show that the amount of recycled PET bottles is lower in the merged municipalities. These results suggest that municipal mergers indeed have an impact on municipal solid waste management but may not lead to more strict waste management and lower waste generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinsong LI & Kenji TAKEUCHI, 2024. "Do Municipal Mergers Promote Recycling?," Discussion papers e-24-002, Graduate School of Economics , Kyoto University.
    • Handle: RePEc:kue:epaper:e-24-002
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