Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

Effects of Weight Based Charges on Solid Waste Disposal

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI)

Lead Applicant

Sue Scott

Project Abstract

This study was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency under the environmental RTDI Programme 2000-2006. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects on householder behaviour of the introduction of pay-by-weight as a method of charging households for waste collection.The importance of this topic stems primarily from the desire to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and to reduce the amount generated. It is of interest to the authorities because of the resource implications and to society in general to help informed choices to be made. It is well known that in theory such charges would reduce the amount of waste collected but whether and how this would apply in an Irish case were questions worth investigating.This paper proceeds as follows. In Part I the academic literature on i'unit-basedi charges is reviewed to set the context. There have been a number of applications of such charges in the USA Europe and elsewhere where the experience has been assessed though in the majority of cases the charges have been based on volume of waste rather than on weight.There follows in Part II a case study of the introduction of weight-based charges in West Cork. The study obtained information on the amounts of household waste left out for collection in the year before and the year after the new charging regime. This body of data on weight of waste was supplemented by information obtained from a questionnaire administered to a representative sample of about 1200 households in West Cork. Analyses undertaken include the calculation of the levels of waste reduction that ensued and the patterns of reduction according to household characteristics to see who reduces most and how. Householdsi recycling behaviours were also the subject of investigation as well as their composting activities and other efforts to reduce their waste.As per the terms of reference the study uses analytical techniques similar to those employed by Fullerton and Kinnaman (1996) in their paper on the introduction of unit-based charges in the city of Charlotteville in Virginia. The responsiveness to price is calculated as well as the impact of numbers in the household on weight of waste per capita. The parallels and some differences with the Fullerton and Kinnaman study are noted.

Grant Approved

�50,789.52

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Waste and Resources Management

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a