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Removing non-reusable plastic bottled water: sustainability vs. health?

Author

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  • Garcia-Prado, Ariadna
  • Kim, Beomsoo
  • Rodriguez-Tejedo, Isabel

Abstract

This study examines the unintended consequences of a policy banning non-reusable bottled water in public institutions in Navarra, Spain, focusing on its impact on vending machine beverage consumption. Utilizing a difference-in-difference (DID) methodology, we compare the consumption from vending machines at a public university affected by the ban with a neighboring private university that was not. Our analysis reveals a significant substitution effect: the consumption of carbonated and non-carbonated sugary sweetened beverages (SSBs) increased by 44.1 % on daily basis per vending machine. This shift equates to an additional consumption of 77 g of sugar per day and vending machine, highlighting a health trade-off for environmental gains. The study contributes to the environmental and health economics literature by providing causal evidence on the impact of plastic-free policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Garcia-Prado, Ariadna & Kim, Beomsoo & Rodriguez-Tejedo, Isabel, 2025. "Removing non-reusable plastic bottled water: sustainability vs. health?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:254:y:2025:i:c:s0165176525003088
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112471
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    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • H8 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues

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