Effects of Deposit-Refund Systems and Recycling Rates on the Mixed Municipal Waste Composition: A Comparative Panel Analysis of Four European Union Countries (2011–2021)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55707/eb.v13i1.163Keywords:
deposit refund system, municipal waste, circular economy, recycling, economic indicatorsAbstract
This paper examines the influence of economic indicators – GDP, inflation, and recycling rate – on the composition of mixed municipal waste and the effectiveness of deposit refund systems (DRS) across EU member states. The comparative analysis and econometric modelling reveal that higher recycling rates significantly reduce the share of plastics, metals, and glass in mixed waste. Countries implementing DRS demonstrate a more effective waste separation and higher recycling performance. Regression results indicate that the recycling rate is the dominant determinant of the mixed waste reduction, while GDP and inflation show no statistically significant direct effects.
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