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Transition from a fixed fee to a pay-as-you-throw waste tariff scheme : Effectiveness of environmental and accountability appeals

Author

Listed:
  • Lesman Ghazaryan

    (EESC-GEM Grenoble Ecole de Management, USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

  • Corinne Faure

    (EESC-GEM Grenoble Ecole de Management)

  • Joachim Schleich

    (EESC-GEM Grenoble Ecole de Management, Fraunhofer ISI - Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research - Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft - Fraunhofer)

  • Mia M. Birau

    (EM - EMLyon Business School)

Abstract

Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) tariff schemes, in which households pay based on their waste generation, are proposed as solutions to the growing worldwide challenge of municipal solid waste management. However, public acceptance of such schemes remains low. Using a one-factor between-subject experimental survey design with 620 participants, we test the effects of environmental and accountability appeals and of individual characteristics in shaping preferences for a proposed PAYT scheme in Grenoble, France. We find a positive effect of the accountability appeal and no effect of the environmental appeal on preference for the PAYT scheme compared to a fixed-fee scheme. Additional analyses suggest that accountability appeals are particularly effective for individuals with below-median age, above-median income, and at least a master's degree, indicating that policymakers should target younger and educated citizens with these appeals in PAYT campaigns. Future research could test the applicability of these findings in other settings and for other waste-related interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lesman Ghazaryan & Corinne Faure & Joachim Schleich & Mia M. Birau, 2025. "Transition from a fixed fee to a pay-as-you-throw waste tariff scheme : Effectiveness of environmental and accountability appeals," Post-Print hal-05083048, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05083048
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125603
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05083048v1
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    Keywords

    Pay-as-you-throw; Unit pricing of waste; Waste management; Communication strategies; Public acceptability; Survey experiment;
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