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The effect of Door-to-Door on separate collection of plastic packaging: evidence from Catalonia

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  • Germà Bel

    (Universitat de Barcelona & IREA-UB)

  • Joël Bühler

    (Universitat de Barcelona & IREA-UB)

Abstract

In this article, we estimate the causal effect of the Door-to-Door waste collection policy on the collection of plastic waste in Catalonia. We use municipality-level data on the share of separately collected light packaging and apply a Difference-in-Differences framework. We find that Door-to-Door increased the share of separated light packaging by 80% compared to untreated units at the end of the sample period. Furthermore, our evidence indicates that there are no differences of Door-to-Door designs with source-separation of light packaging from other recyclable waste components compared to those where light packaging waste is collected with other materials and separated post-source. These findings highlight that Door-to-Door can be a highly effective measure to increase separate collection of light packaging, a precondition for ambitious plastics recycling goals legislated by policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Germà Bel & Joël Bühler, 2025. "The effect of Door-to-Door on separate collection of plastic packaging: evidence from Catalonia," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 27(3), pages 377-403, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envpol:v:27:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s10018-024-00428-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10018-024-00428-x
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    1. Scott J. Callan & Janet M. Thomas, 2001. "Economies of Scale and Scope: A Cost Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Services," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 77(4), pages 548-560.
    2. Gradus, Raymond H.J.M. & Nillesen, Paul H.L. & Dijkgraaf, Elbert & van Koppen, Rick J., 2017. "A Cost-effectiveness Analysis for Incineration or Recycling of Dutch Household Plastic Waste," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 22-28.
    3. Nainggolan, Doan & Pedersen, Anders Branth & Smed, Sinne & Zemo, Kahsay Haile & Hasler, Berit & Termansen, Mette, 2019. "Consumers in a Circular Economy: Economic Analysis of Household Waste Sorting Behaviour," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 1-1.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • K23 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Regulated Industries and Administrative Law
    • L65 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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