Citizen preferences regarding municipal solid waste re-use measures

Abstract

Worldwide, material consumption has expanded rapidly. The Netherlands has become wealthier, citizens can afford more products and therefore the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) increased enormously. The distribution of MSW is associated with environmental problems and health risks. MSW consists of everyday items disposed by households, such as furniture, clothing, electronics, food and product packaging. A large share of these products are not only suited for recycling but could also be re-used. The step from recycling towards re-use is desired as re-use is more sustainable and effective in reducing the associated (environmental) problems and risks than recycling. However, current local waste management systems are not equipped for re-use. Facilities to handle re-use already exist. The main problem is, that the MSW products are in most cases not ending up at these facilities because the current local waste management systems are designed to stimulate recycling instead of re-use. Re-use is solely in the hands of the citizens themselves. There is insufficient knowledge of what kind of re-use policies are preferred by different citizens. The policy-makers do not know about the trade-offs citizens make regarding re-use. Therefore, this research aims to find what the preferences of the citizens are regarding re-use measures of MSW, and if these preferences are heterogeneous among the citizens or not.
The results of the research showed that citizens were willing to change from the current system towards re-use of MSW. In 80% of the choice situations, a re-use measure was chosen over the base alternative (current situation). This is a positive result as re-use can diminish waste levels and indirectly the negative effects associated with waste. Citizens preferred the “Platform” and “Bringing to the waste disposal centre” alternative the most and preferred these two measures more than the base alternative (current situation). The preferences were related to multiple citizen characteristics such as age, ability to bring (small and big) products to the waste disposal centre, and having a divers’ license