Managing Municipal Solid Waste with Unit-Based Pricing: Policy Effects and Responsiveness to Pricing

Authors

Ju-Chin Huang, University of New HampshireFollow
John M. HalsteadFollow
Shanna B. SaundersFollow

Abstract

Many municipalities across the United States have turned to unit based pricing-also known as pay as you throw (PAYT)-as a vehicle for reducing municipal solid waste generation, increasing recycling, and promoting equity in paying for the service. In this paper we reevaluate the standard analytical methods used to examine the impact of PAYT in he literature and illustrate that econometric shortcomings may have led to underestimation of policy effects. A two-tier analytical approach to examining PAYT program effects is proposed and is demonstrated in a case study of New Hampshire municipalities. (JEL O18, Q58)

Publication Date

11-1-2011

Journal Title

Land Economics

Publisher

University of Wisconsin Press

Scientific Contribution Number

2325

Document Type

Article

Rights

© 2011 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

Recommended Citation

Huang, Ju-Chin; Halstead, John M.; and Saunders, Shanna B., "Managing Municipal Solid Waste with Unit-Based Pricing: Policy Effects and Responsiveness to Pricing" (2011). Land Economics. 136.
https://scholars.unh.edu/nhaes/136