Household Waste Recycling: Economics and Policy

This paper provides a review of economic studies that analyse the use of multiple policies to cope with waste management problems. We discuss the factors that influence selective sorting behaviour, and the most appropriate policies for their promotion. Based on the works analysed, our survey shows the original features of waste as an environmental problem requiring regulation. The traditional approach in which decisions respond to rational behaviour, particularly cost savings, has some limits. Although not all public policies seem justified, we argue that there might be a need for specific policies to promote recycling, preferably based on the provision of information to consumers or on behavioural instruments. Indeed, personal factors specific to each individual - such as emotions and the influence of social interaction – should be taken into account in the development of public policies. We review the literature related to different rationales and identify some avenues for future research.