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Title Are Bottle Banks Sufficiently Effective for Increasing Glass Recycling Rates?
ID_Doc 20292
Authors Dijkgraaf, E; Gradus, R
Title Are Bottle Banks Sufficiently Effective for Increasing Glass Recycling Rates?
Year 2021
Published Sustainability, 13, 17
DOI 10.3390/su13179540
Abstract The Netherlands is a frontrunner in the EU regarding the circular economy. On a national scale, there are higher targets than the EU for different packaging materials as plastics, glass, paper/cartons, and aluminium. For glass, the government advocates a recycling rate of more than 90%. In 2017, the rate realised was 86%. To reach this 4% higher goal, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate wants to improve the collection infrastructure by increasing the number of bottle banks, with 800 by 2021. However, in the literature, an effectiveness analysis is lacking. Based on empirical evidence with data from 2007-2019, we show that increasing the number of bottle banks is not effective. Implementing a unit-based pricing system as a priced bag or container for unsorted waste can be more effective in achieving this goal, although this can have serious drawbacks.
Author Keywords glass recycling; circular economy; waste infrastructure; local government; Netherlands
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000695597200001
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Studies
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/17/9540/pdf?version=1629878499
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