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Waste dynamics, decoupling and ex post policy effectiveness: evidence from the EU 15

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  • Massimiliano Mazzanti
  • Francesco Nicolli

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of municipal and packaging waste generation dynamics, based on panel data for the EU15. The evidence provides some valuable policy implications since it analyses the extent to which decoupling has occurred for the two waste streams and if and how effectively EU waste policy has influenced the waste generation-income relationship since 1995. We demonstrate that although absolute decoupling is far from being generally achieved for both municipal and even packaging waste generation – both historically heavily regulated by EU directives – there are some first positive signs of stronger relative decoupling with respect to the past. Nevertheless, the impact of waste policies is negligible, probably due to the biased focus on waste disposal and recovery rather than waste reduction at source. Waste prevention should definitely become the core objective of future waste regulation efforts in the EU, even assigning targets in terms of waste generated per capita.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimiliano Mazzanti & Francesco Nicolli, 2011. "Waste dynamics, decoupling and ex post policy effectiveness: evidence from the EU 15," International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 11(1), pages 61-78.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijgenv:v:11:y:2011:i:1:p:61-78
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    Cited by:

    1. Grazia Cecere & Nicoletta Corrocher, 2016. "Stringency of regulation and innovation in waste management: an empirical analysis on EU countries," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7), pages 625-646, October.
    2. M. Pilar Latorre & Margarita Martinez-Nuñez & Carmen Callao, 2021. "Modelling and analysing the relationship between innovation and the European Regulations on hazardous waste shipments," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 575-594, December.
    3. Fabio Zagonari, 2018. "Coherence, Causality, and Effectiveness of the EU Environmental Policy System: Results of Complementary Statistical and Econometric Analyses," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 70(1), pages 1-29, May.
    4. Cecere, Grazia & Martinelli, Arianna, 2017. "Drivers of knowledge accumulation in electronic waste management: An analysis of publication data," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(5), pages 925-938.

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