Determinants of Decisions to Collect Container and Packaging Recyclables

Abstract

In Japan, recycling has been promoted during the past decade owing to the shortage of landfill sites for waste disposal. The Japanese government has encouraged reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste with the slogan “3R” under the Basic Law for Establishing a Recycling-based Society. However, while there is extensive empirical literature on household decisions to recycle, few studies have investigated the determinants of a municipality’s decision to collect recyclables. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors affecting a municipality’s decision to implement the collection of presorted recyclable containers and packaging in Japan. Our results suggest that possession of landfill sites and incineration facilities could affect municipalities’ decisions regarding the collection of sorted recyclables.